scuff

[ skuhf ]

/ skʌf /

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See synonyms for: scuff / scuffing 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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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. 2023

How to use scuff in a sentence

The alien was outlined there as he went out; then he himself was scuffing through sand close upon another death scene.
Star Born|Andre Norton
Above the beating of the blood in his ears, Jones heard an irregular, insistent scuffing sound.
Average Jones|Samuel Hopkins Adams
Shrieks and scuffing acquainted those without that the journeymen were earning their hire.
Following the Equator, Part 6|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
When they came to a stop Ruth tumbled out first, then the Judge and his lady followed, scuffing along as best they could.
The House With Sixty Closets|Frank Samuel Child

I got six huskies running loose outside, so if you hear 'em scuffing around you'll know it's not the wolves.
North of Fifty-Three|Bertrand W. Sinclair

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

scuff

Origin of scuff

Words related to scuff

How to use scuff in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scuff

Word Origin for scuff