scum

noun

/skʌm/

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[uncountable, singular] a layer of bubbles or an unpleasant substance that forms on the surface of a liquid浮沫；浮垢；浮渣
- Skim off any scum.撇净浮沫。
- stinking water covered by a thick green scum盖着厚厚一层绿色浮垢的臭水
[uncountable, plural] (informal) an offensive word for people who you think are very bad（骂人的话）渣滓，败类
- Don't waste your sympathy on scum like that.对这样的渣滓你没必要同情。
- Drug dealers are the scum of the earth (= the worst people there are).毒品贩子是社会渣滓。

Word OriginMiddle English: from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch schūm, of Germanic origin.

IELTS BNC: 8207 COCA: 15268

scum

Dirt: dirt, dust, grime...

Dirty: dirty, filthy, messy...