scar

¹ American  

[skahr] / skɑr /

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 American  

[skahr] / skɑr /

noun

British.

1. a precipitous, rocky place; cliff.

2. a low or submerged rock in the sea.

---

scar ¹ British  

/ 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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

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

Explanation

A scar is a place where a wound healed but is still visible, or if you're little, it's a mark where a boo-boo was. Scar is from the Greek word eskhara, a "scab formed after a burn." It's all that and more. Scar can be a noun or a verb — you can have a scar on your knee after your skateboarding incident, and a bad round of chicken pox can scar you. Something scary can scar, you, too, like a horror movie or catching your parents in the act. Scars can be emotional. Take one letter off scare and you're left with a scar.

Example Sentences

Because I knew to look for it, I saw the faint surgical scar peeking above the neckline of the child’s dress.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

There is tremendous scar tissue—literally, and figuratively, from past crises and recoveries—but he is by far the sport’s best known presence, a player who moves the crowds like no other.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Treated mice had lower levels of collagen, a major component of scar tissue, than untreated mice or those that underwent a sham procedure in which the intestine was cut and reconnected without removing tissue.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2026

Before Garcia set foot on the burn scar, he put word out to station captains about the plan for the morning: Pick up hoses.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

The wound healed—my mother treated it with some herbs—but I still have the scar, under my right eye.

From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola

Related Words

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