scarify
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make scratches or superficial incisions in (the skin), to produce an immune response or administer certain injections.
The smallpox vaccine, which was administered by scarifying the skin, left a telltale scar on the upper arm.
During the therapeutic procedure of wet cupping, the practitioner scarifies the skin after suction.
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to scratch, etch, cut, or burn designs or images into the skin in order to create permanent decorative or symbolic scars.
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to lacerate by severe criticism.
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to loosen (the soil) with a type of cultivator.
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to hasten the sprouting of (hard-covered seeds) by making incisions in the seed coats.
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to break up (a road surface).
verb
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surgery to make tiny punctures or superficial incisions in (the skin or other tissue), as for inoculating
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agriculture
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to break up and loosen (soil) to a shallow depth
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to scratch or abrade the outer surface of (seeds) to increase water absorption or hasten germination
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to wound with harsh criticism
verb
Usage
Scarify is sometimes wrongly thought to mean the same as scare: a frightening (not scarifying ) film
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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scarifysimple
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scarifiessimple
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have scarifiedperfect
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has scarifiedperfect
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am scarifyingprogressive
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are scarifyingprogressive
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is scarifyingprogressive
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have been scarifyingperfect progressive
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has been scarifyingperfect progressive
Past
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scarifiedsimple
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had scarifiedperfect
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was scarifyingprogressive
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were scarifyingprogressive
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had been scarifyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of scarify
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English scarifien, from Middle French scarifier, scarefier, from Late Latin scarīficāre, alteration of Latin scarīfāre, scarīphāre “to make scratches, scrach,” from Greek skarīphâsthai “to sketch,” derivative of skárīphos “stylus”; see also -ify
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.
Much like with its grilled cheeses, Chanel boots and the decline of the print industry, “The Devil Wears Prada” remains scarily prescient when it comes to assessing our culture.
From Salon • Sep. 17, 2025
Given recent events, that feels scarily feeble and unsatisfying.
From Slate • Jan. 1, 2025
In the fifth inning of Game 5 of the World Series, the Dodgers trailed 5-0 and were in serious danger of having to scarily extend the series back to Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2024
Garland does scatter some hints; in one ugly scene, a militia type played by a jolting, scarily effective Jesse Plemons asks captives “what kind of American” they are.
From New York Times • Apr. 11, 2024
I am scarily, eerily calm, as if someone else is doing the driving.
From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven
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.
