scuff

[ skuhf ]

/ skʌf /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR scuff ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

to brush against, as in passing.
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.

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What does “barren” mean?

a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides.

Worn down by dullness, tedious repetition.

unproductive; unfruitful

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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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for scuff

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Then, I recognized my son's scuffed sneakers sticking out from the blanket.
Arnold Pardoned My Son’s Attacker|Bruce Henderson|May 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Sitting down on the stone step by the door, she scuffed the toe of her tennis shoe back and forth in the gravel.
Voice from the Cave|Mildred A. Wirt

He knotted a hitch around the spokes of the wheel and scuffed hastily forward.
The Skipper and the Skipped|Holman Day
He scuffed through the sawdust to the bar and took a stack of silver dollars from his apron.
Vigorish|Gordon Randall Garrett
He got up and scuffed into the bathroom to stare into the mirror.
The Black Tide|Arthur G. Stangland
Raf could see nothing to so rivet their attention but a series of scuffed marks in the dust which covered the floor.
Star Born|Andre Norton

British Dictionary definitions for scuff

scuff

/ (skʌf) /

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

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scuff

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

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Origin of scuff

Example sentences from the Web for scuff

British Dictionary definitions for scuff

verb

noun

Word Origin for scuff

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

scuff

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON THESE WORDS FROM BROWN GIRL DREAMING!

Origin of scuff

Words related to scuff

Example sentences from the Web for scuff

British Dictionary definitions for scuff

verb

noun

Word Origin for scuff