scuff

[skuhf]

verb (used with object)

to scrape (something) with one's foot or feet.
to rub or scrape (one's foot or feet) over something.
to mar by scraping or hard use, as shoes or furniture.

Chiefly Scot.
1. to brush against, as in passing.
2. to brush off; wipe off.

verb (used without object)

to walk without raising the feet from the ground; shuffle.
to scrape or rub one's foot back and forth over something.
to be or become marred or scratched by scraping or wear.
(of machine parts, as gear teeth) to creep from pressure and friction so that ridges appear transversely to the direction of wear.

noun

the act or sound of scuffing.
a flat-heeled slipper with a full-length sole and an upper part covering only the front of the foot.
a marred or scratched place on an item, as from scraping or wear.

Origin of scuff

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for scuffed

disorder, disturb, confuse, shift, disarray, disorganize, scuffle, intermix, change, discompose, jumble, dislocate, disrupt, shamble, disarrange

Examples from the Web for scuffed

Contemporary Examples of scuffed

The only victor in this melee—if scuffed, dirty, and covered in broken glass—was the United States and its political institutions.
The Wacko Birds Will Fly Again
Jamelle Bouie
October 17, 2013
Leroy had survived, but had an injured wing and a scuffed beak.
The Twister Stole My Pet: How Cats, Dogs, and a Donkey Survived Oklahoma
Christine Pelisek
May 23, 2013
Then, I recognized my son's scuffed sneakers sticking out from the blanket.
Arnold Pardoned My Son’s Attacker
Bruce Henderson
May 11, 2011

Historical Examples of scuffed

He sat there stunned until Hooky began licking at his scuffed fingers.
The Hoofer
Walter M. Miller
He thought it was his own until he failed to recognize the scuffed, grimy interior.
The Planet Strappers
Raymond Zinke Gallun
Richard scuffed one shoe against the other and looked into the fire.
Georgina of the Rainbows
Annie Fellows Johnston
He got up and scuffed into the bathroom to stare into the mirror.
The Black Tide
Arthur G. Stangland
Clara noted the scantily trimmed hat and the scuffed gloves.
Different Girls
Various

British Dictionary definitions for scuffed

scuff

verb

to scrape or drag (the feet) while walking
to rub or scratch (a surface) or (of a surface) to become rubbed or scratched
(tr) US to poke at (something) with the foot

noun

the act or sound of scuffing
a rubbed place caused by scuffing
a backless slipper

Word Origin for scuff

C19: probably of imitative origin

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

Word Origin and History for scuffed

scuff

1768, "to walk (through or over something) without raising the feet," from Scottish, probably from a Scandinavian source related to Old Norse skufa, skyfa "to shove, push aside," from PIE *skeubh- "to shove" (see shove (v.)). Meaning "injure the surface of" is from 1897. Related: Scuffed; scuffing. As a noun from 1824.