scuffle

American  

[skuhf-uhl] / ˈskʌf əl /

verb (used without object)

scuffled, scuffling

1. to struggle or fight in a rough, confused manner.

2. to go or move in hurried confusion.

3. to move or go with a shuffle; scuff.

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noun

1. a rough, confused struggle or fight.

   Synonyms:

   row, tussle, scrap

2. a shuffling.

   a scuffle of feet.

3. Also called scuffle hoe.  a spadelike hoe that is pushed instead of pulled.

4. (in tap dancing) a forward and backward movement of the foot.

scuffle ¹ British  

/ ˈskʌfəl /

verb

1. to fight in a disorderly manner

2. to move by shuffling

3. to move in a hurried or confused manner

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noun

1. a disorderly struggle

2. the sound made by scuffling or shuffling

scuffle ² British  

/ ˈskʌfəl /

noun

1. a type of hoe operated by pushing rather than pulling

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Other Word Forms

• scuffler noun
• scufflingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of scuffle

First recorded in 1570–80; scuff, -le

Example Sentences

There were some scuffles, apparently between protesters and counterdemonstrators.

From Barron's

There were some scuffles, apparently between protesters and counter-demonstrators but police had no details on further arrests.

From Barron's

A brief scuffle broke out between one of Ibrahima's friends and one of the boys in the other group.

From BBC

On Tuesday, the fourth consecutive day of the campus protests, videos verified by AFP showed two groups facing off in a large hall at a Tehran university before scuffles broke out.

From Barron's

They were later seen scuffling with government supporters.

From BBC

Related Words

• brawl
• commotion
• disturbance
• fracas
• ruckus
• strife
• tussle
• wrangle