scuffle
Americanverb (used without object)
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to struggle or fight in a rough, confused manner.
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to go or move in hurried confusion.
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to move or go with a shuffle; scuff.
verb
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to fight in a disorderly manner
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to move by shuffling
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to move in a hurried or confused manner
noun
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a disorderly struggle
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the sound made by scuffling or shuffling
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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scufflesimple
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scufflessimple
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have scuffledperfect
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has scuffledperfect
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am scufflingprogressive
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are scufflingprogressive
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is scufflingprogressive
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have been scufflingperfect progressive
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has been scufflingperfect progressive
Past
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scuffledsimple
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had scuffledperfect
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was scufflingprogressive
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were scufflingprogressive
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had been scufflingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of scuffle
Explanation
As both a noun and a verb, scuffle involves a fight. As a noun, it is the clash itself, like a scuffle between sworn enemies. As a verb, it means to fight, like a bully who will scuffle with just about anyone. A scuffle is not an organized bout: it is a free-for-all, with fists flying in any and all directions. As a verb, it tells about the act of this kind of wild fighting, like angry kids who scuffle to try to settle their problems, but it can also mean "dragging one's feet while walking." Here, the meaning is not related to fighting, but rather the sound made by those shuffling feet.
Vocabulary lists containing scuffle
"My Favorite Chaperone," Vocabulary from the short story
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 26–31
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Dear Martin
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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.
See Examples For:
Footage of Cunningham coolly staring down and pointing mockingly at one such foe for 22 unflinching seconds following a scuffle last month went viral, launching countless memes.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
A scuffle in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week threatened the June peace deal, but oil traders are betting the Strait will remain open.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
After the pair manages to make it out of another scuffle, Ruthye asks Kara about her family, to which Kara replies that she has none except for her cousin.
From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026
Bonner, Thomas, Hines-Allen and Fever guard Sophie Cunningham were also assessed technical fouls for their actions during the scuffle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
I hear a scuffle across the room and lift my head from the pillow.
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
Busch was known throughout his career as a competitor who gave no quarter—talking trash, getting into scuffles, and even crashing cars—in pursuit of victory.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 23, 2026
Swiss watch giant Swatch said Monday insufficient organisation by shopping centres contributed to scuffles at around 20 stores worldwide over the weekend as clients raced to buy a limited-edition timepiece.
From Barron's ● May 18, 2026
There have also been reports of scuffles in Amsterdam and Milan as well as in cities in Asia and the Middle East.
From BBC ● May 18, 2026
There were some scuffles, apparently between protesters and counter-demonstrators but police had no details on further arrests.
From Barron's ● Mar. 7, 2026
All is quiet except for the thumps and scuffles of their footsteps, and Mark finds that his excitement over who might be in the boat overcomes the growing stench as they descend.
From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner
Friedman continued, “We’ve seen it time and time again with guys who have scuffled and all of a sudden found it and they roll off a heater.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2025
Moments before the Chargers and Dallas Cowboys squared off at SoFi in 2023, the teams scuffled at midfield after several Cowboys ran through the Chargers’ defensive backs as they were conducting pregame drills.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2025
As the ultra-Orthodox scuffled with police at the protest, other Israelis berated them, chanting “Shame! Shame!”
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 26, 2024
Mr. Keith was already in his 30s, having scuffled for years to make it in the music business, when he signed his first record deal in 1993.
From New York Times ● Feb. 6, 2024
He could hear the vixen’s yips as she scuffled with her attacker, but they sounded more irritated than afraid.
From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker
All were large, stable companies in 1972, which is why they were embraced by brokers and fund managers when the rest of the market was scuffling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
They were later seen scuffling with government supporters.
From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2026
Without many trustworthy options in a recently scuffling bullpen, however, manager Dave Roberts had few cards to play from his deck.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2025
Indeed, there were other positive signs for the Dodgers’ recently scuffling lineup on Tuesday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2025
She blew the whistle, and soon a white cloud of dust began to rise from the scuffling feet of the two sides.
From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John
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.
