scarf
1 Americannoun
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scarfs,
plural
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scarves
plural
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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.
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a necktie or cravat with hanging ends.
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a long cover or ornamental cloth for a bureau, table, etc.
verb (used with object)
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to cover or wrap with or as if with a scarf.
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to use in the manner of a scarf.
verb (used with or without object)
noun
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scarfs
plural
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a tapered or otherwise-formed end on each of the pieces to be assembled with a scarf joint.
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Whaling. a strip of skin along the body of the whale.
verb (used with object)
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to assemble with a scarf joint.
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to form a scarf on (the end of a timber).
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Steelmaking. to burn away the surface defects of (newly rolled steel).
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Whaling. to make a groove in and remove (the blubber and skin).
noun
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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
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the end of a piece of timber shaped to form such a joint
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a wedge-shaped cut made in a tree before felling, to determine the direction of the fall
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whaling an incision made along a whale's body before stripping off the blubber
verb
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to join (two pieces of timber) by means of a scarf
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to make a scarf on (a piece of timber)
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to cut a scarf in (a whale)
noun
verb
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to wrap with or as if with a scarf
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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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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”; see scarf 1)
Explanation
A scarf is a wide piece of fabric that's worn around the neck or over the head. That long, warm, wooly thing you wrap around your throat in the winter is a scarf. In the 1500s, a scarf was a "band worn across the body," from the Old French escherpe, "pilgrim's purse suspended from the neck." Today, a scarf can take many forms, from an itchy wool scarf to a head covering worn for religious reasons to a silk scarf tied jauntily around the throat. As a verb, scarf means "eat hungrily." You might scarf down some pizza, then put on your scarf and head back into the snow.
Vocabulary lists containing scarf
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In February 2025, Simpson responded: “A silk scarf isn’t going to pay the rent that’s due which the babies thrive under, or the car note which carries them to their many doctor appointments.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
The prize: A red Coca-Cola themed scarf or baseball cap.
From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026
Wearing a scarf around his face and blue latex gloves on his hands, a 49-year-old man already had a suspicious look about him as he approached TSA agents at Sacramento International Airport on Saturday night.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026
At one point in the aftermath he took the Scottish Cup in his hands and waved it at the Celtic fans, a scarf around his neck, a smile across his face.
From BBC ● May 23, 2026
She ties her scarf and tosses her purse over her shoulder.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
The foodbank will also be asking for items like socks, scarfs and gloves to give people an "extra little surprise" in their Christmas parcel.
From BBC ● Dec. 7, 2025
Place your fresh pakoras onto a paper towel-lined platter and watch as you, or anyone near you, scarfs them down with the same voracity with which one would demolish a carton of McDonald's french fries.
From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2023
The KCU, whose members are known for their red scarfs, was set up to promote the North's political ideology including "Juche", or self reliance.
From Reuters ● Jun. 7, 2023
A largely pro-Argentina crowd, waving flags and scarfs and beating drums behind both goals, had been sweeping Messi and his team along at the 44,000-seat Stadium 974 and they didn’t stop after the penalty.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 30, 2022
Then he gives me the spoon, and younger me scarfs down the peas.
From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya
Spectators used the interruption to try to dry off, chat, and shop, whether it was food, drinks, jerseys, scarves, or whatever other merchandise they could find.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
When it comes to the crunch, however, the band are as tight-knit as Sakura's head scarves and the story of their album is one of solidarity.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026
Through her coaching service, Mann helps people explore wigs, scarves, or going completely bald, depending on their desires.
From Slate ● May 23, 2026
Two years ago, Burberry outlined a new strategy to revive sales and reduce costs as it honed in on outerwear and scarves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026
Bailey tries to ask more questions about the rêveurs and their scarves, but before he can, Poppet pulls him into another tent and he is immediately silenced by the sight he is met with inside.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
