scar

¹

[skahr]

noun

1. a mark left by a healed wound, sore, or burn.

2. a lasting aftereffect of trouble, especially a lasting psychological injury resulting from suffering or trauma.

3. any blemish remaining as a trace of or resulting from injury or use.

4. Botany.,  a mark indicating a former point of attachment, as where a leaf has fallen from a stem.

verb (used with object)

scarred, scarring 

1. to mark with a scar.

verb (used without object)

scarred, scarring 

1. to form a scar in healing.

scar

²

[skahr]

noun

British.

1. a precipitous, rocky place; cliff.

2. a low or submerged rock in the sea.

scar

¹

/ skɑː /

noun

1. any mark left on the skin or other tissue following the healing of a wound

2. a permanent change in a person's character resulting from emotional distress

   his wife's death left its scars on him

3. the mark on a plant indicating the former point of attachment of a part, esp the attachment of a leaf to a stem

4. a mark of damage; blemish

verb

1. to mark or become marked with a scar

2. (intr) to heal leaving a scar

scar

²

/ skɑː /

noun

1. an irregular enlongated trench-like feature on a land surface that often exposes bedrock

2. a similar formation in a river or sea

Other Word Forms

• scarless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scar¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; shortening of eschar

Origin of scar²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English scarre, skerre, from Old Norse sker skerry

Word History and Origins

Origin of scar¹

C14: via Late Latin from Greek eskhara scab

Origin of scar²

C14: from Old Norse sker low reef, _skerry

Example Sentences

She added people were "trying to cover up the story" and claimed there were similarities between her and Madeleine, including having scars in the same places.

From BBC

"I'm still getting bitten and I've got scars all over my body," he said.

From BBC

The actor’s face is scarred with blood, hinting at a backstory I don’t have time — or perhaps the inclination — to explore.

From Los Angeles Times

“I too am frustrated by what I feel are areas of incompleteness,” said Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, whose district was scarred by the Palisades fire.

From Los Angeles Times

To be sure, Paradise still bears the scars of that devastating blaze, which killed 85 people.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blister 
• crater 
• defect 
• discoloration 
• disfigurement 
• flaw 
• scab 
• wound