scarf

¹ American  

[skahrf] / skɑrf /

noun

PLURAL

scarfs, scarves

1. a long, broad strip of wool, silk, lace, or other material worn about the neck, shoulders, or head, for ornament or protection against cold, drafts, etc.

2. a necktie or cravat with hanging ends.

3. a long cover or ornamental cloth for a bureau, table, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cover or wrap with or as if with a scarf.

2. to use in the manner of a scarf.

scarf ² American  

[skahrf] / skɑrf /

verb (used with or without object)

Slang.

1. to eat, especially voraciously (often followed by down orup ).

   to scarf down junk food.

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scarf ³ American  

[skahrf] / skɑrf /

Also scarph

noun

PLURAL

scarfs

1. a tapered or otherwise-formed end on each of the pieces to be assembled with a scarf joint.

2. Whaling. a strip of skin along the body of the whale.

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verb (used with object)

1. to assemble with a scarf joint.

2. to form a scarf on (the end of a timber).

3. Steelmaking. to burn away the surface defects of (newly rolled steel).

4. Whaling. to make a groove in and remove (the blubber and skin).

scarf ¹ British  

/ skɑːf /

noun

1. Also called: scarf joint.   scarfed joint.  a lapped joint between two pieces of timber made by notching or grooving the ends and strapping, bolting, or gluing the two pieces together

2. the end of a piece of timber shaped to form such a joint

3. a wedge-shaped cut made in a tree before felling, to determine the direction of the fall

4. whaling an incision made along a whale's body before stripping off the blubber

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verb

1. to join (two pieces of timber) by means of a scarf

2. to make a scarf on (a piece of timber)

3. to cut a scarf in (a whale)

scarf ² British  

/ skɑːf /

noun

1. a rectangular, triangular, or long narrow piece of cloth worn around the head, neck, or shoulders for warmth or decoration

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verb

1. to wrap with or as if with a scarf

2. to use as or in the manner of a scarf

Usage

Plural word for scarf The plural form of scarf can be either scarfs or scarves, but scarves is more widely used. The plurals of some other singular words that end -f are also formed in this way, including leaf/leaves, elf/elves, and wife/wives. A similar change is made when pluralizing hoof as hooves. Irregular plurals that are formed like scarves derive directly from their original pluralization in Old English.

Other Word Forms

• scarfer noun
• scarfless adjective
• scarflike adjective

Etymology

Origin of scarf¹

First recorded in 1545–55; of uncertain origin; perhaps special use of scarf ³

Origin of scarf²

An Americanism dating to 1955–60; variant of scoff ², probably a respelling by r-less speakers

Origin of scarf³

First recorded in 1490–1500; probably from Old Norse skarfr (derivative of skera “to cut”) “beveled edge, end cut from a beam” (hence perhaps “a piece of cloth cut off, a scarf”; scarf ¹ )

Example Sentences

The elusive treasure hunter insisted on covering his face with a scarf and would only be interviewed from behind a screen.

From BBC

Outside on one of the side streets that are full of stalls offering tourism souvenirs, like fluffy alpacas and scarves, Dina Huillca is sitting on the pavement selling roses, tomatoes and mint.

From BBC

Poets in scarves sipped Fernet and writers in denim jackets drank cheap red wine.

From New York Times

Projects that he calls “vanilla knitting,” like scarves or hats, are easy enough to do without looking down at the needles while he’s in a meeting or reading emails.

From New York Times

Behind Aster was a framed Hermès scarf featuring a mysterious masked woman, designed by Daniel Clowes, the “Eightball” cartoonist whom the director considers a close friend and who offered encouragement on “Beau.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• bandanna
• shawl
• stole