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

There was a pop-up shop decorated to look like a cozy British cottage full of holiday gifts, a scarf bar and Bloomingdale’s signature Big Brown plush collectible bear donned a plaid scarf.

From The Wall Street Journal

At Milan Fashion Week on Thursday, the Prada show opened with cozy knit sweaters and multi-coloured scarves, only for garments to be ripped open, exposed and distressed as the catwalk continued.

From Barron's

William was delighted to spot a group of children holding up a scarf for Aston Villa, the football club he has supported since his school days.

From BBC

Some are wrapped up in scarves and woolly hats, while others are sat in deckchairs, eating picnic lunches and playing music as they get ready to watch the chart-topping singer Raye in action.

From BBC

With her inquisitive eyes and lush, white tail, which she wraps around herself like a scarf, Rana is a friendly guide to an inhospitable world.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bandanna
• shawl
• stole