A scrim is a very light textile made from cotton, or sometimes flax. Its light weight and translucence means it is often used for making curtains. The fabric can also be used for bookbinding and upholstery.

Scrims have also seen extensive use in theatre where they are often used for special effects. In theater a scrim can refer to any such thin screen, and are made out of a wide variety of materials. The advantage of scrims is that when lit from the front they can appear opaque to the audience, until a quick change in stage lighting (lighting from behind) makes them almost fully transparent.

Scrim is also a term used in online games, frequently being first person shooters like Counter-Strike or Halo. It is a shortening of scrimmage, and it implies to have one clan battle another.