scarecrow

[ skair-kroh ]
/ ˈskɛərˌkroʊ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR scarecrow ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an object, usually a figure of a person in old clothes, set up to frighten crows or other birds away from crops.
anything frightening but not really dangerous.
a person in ragged clothes.
an extremely thin person.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of scarecrow

First recorded in 1545–55; scare + crow1

OTHER WORDS FROM scarecrow

scare·crow·ish, scare·crow·y, adjective

Words nearby scarecrow

scarcity, scare, scare out of one's wits, scare quotes, scare up, scarecrow, scaredy-cat, scarehead, scaremonger, scareware, scarf
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to scarecrow

spectacle, beggar, urchin, vagrant, orphan, waif, tramp, tatterdemalion, bum, vagabond, loafer, hobo, wastrel, guttersnipe, gamin, blot, ogre, fright, mess, eyesore

Example sentences from the Web for scarecrow

British Dictionary definitions for scarecrow

scarecrow
/ (ˈskɛəˌkrəʊ) /

noun

an object, usually in the shape of a man, made out of sticks and old clothes to scare birds away from crops
a person or thing that appears frightening but is not actually harmful
informal
  1. an untidy-looking person
  2. a very thin person
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012