scuff

American  

[skuhf] / skʌf /

verb (used with object)

1. to scrape (something) with one's foot or feet.

2. to rub or scrape (one's foot or feet) over something.

3. to mar by scraping or hard use, as shoes or furniture.

4. Chiefly Scot.

   1. to brush against, as in passing.

   2. to brush off; wipe off.

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verb (used without object)

1. to walk without raising the feet from the ground; shuffle.

2. to scrape or rub one's foot back and forth over something.

3. to be or become marred or scratched by scraping or wear.

4. (of machine parts, as gear teeth) to creep from pressure and friction so that ridges appear transversely to the direction of wear.

noun

1. the act or sound of scuffing.

2. a flat-heeled slipper with a full-length sole and an upper part covering only the front of the foot.

3. a marred or scratched place on an item, as from scraping or wear.

scuff British  

/ skʌf /

verb

1. to scrape or drag (the feet) while walking

2. to rub or scratch (a surface) or (of a surface) to become rubbed or scratched

3. (tr) to poke at (something) with the foot

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noun

1. the act or sound of scuffing

2. a rubbed place caused by scuffing

3. a backless slipper

Etymology

Origin of scuff

First recorded in 1585–95, scuff is from the Middle Low German word schūven to shove

Explanation

When you scuff something, you scrape it in a way that leaves a mark. You might walk very carefully down the street in your new red cowboy boots, being careful not to scuff the toes. You can scuff a floor by moving heavy furniture, or scuff your new leather backpack by dragging it on the sidewalk. It's easy to scuff new shoes or to scuff your dad's car interior when you try to cram your bike into its hatchback. Scuff also means to drag your feet, the way a reluctant child might do on her way into the dentist's office. The word scuff is Scottish, possibly from a Scandinavian root.

Example Sentences

Andy O’Bryan, who co-founded an online group for entrepreneurs interested in AI, said he’s seen more people trying to scuff up AI-generated prose with typos or run-on sentences.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

During a walk-through, Raiders guard Gene Upshaw used his cleats to scuff the Rozelle signature on one of those balls.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2025

That means you can ask your bank to waive late fees or overcharge fees, or ask for a discount on shoes that have a scuff on them.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 25, 2023

“True believers,” the novelist Jeanette Winterson wrote, “would rather see governments topple and history rewritten than scuff the cover of their faith.”

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2023

I remember kicking it there solo, listening to my pop preaching about the army, staring at all the black scuff marks his boots left on the court.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña