scum

/skəm/

/skəm/

Other forms: scummed; scumming; scums

Definitions of scum

1. noun

   a film of impurities or vegetation that can form on the surface of a liquid
   types:

   dross, scoria, slag

   the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals

   basic slag

   slag produced in making steel; low in silica but having large amounts of calcium phosphate; useful as fertilizer

   type of:

   film

   a thin coating or layer
2. noun

   worthless people
   synonyms: trash

   type of:

   rabble, ragtag, ragtag and bobtail, riffraff

   disparaging terms for the common people
3. verb

   remove the scum from
   type of:

   get rid of, remove

   dispose of