scuffle

American  

[skuhf-uhl] / ˈskʌf əl /

verb (used without object)

scuffles, present (3rd person singular) scuffled, past participle, past scuffling present participle

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

scuffles plural

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

Derived Forms

• scuffler
  noun
• scufflingly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• scuffles
  plural

Participles

• scuffling
  present
• scuffled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• scuffle
  simple
• scuffles
  simple
• have scuffled
  perfect
• has scuffled
  perfect
• am scuffling
  progressive
• are scuffling
  progressive
• is scuffling
  progressive
• have been scuffling
  perfect progressive
• has been scuffling
  perfect progressive

Past

• scuffled
  simple
• had scuffled
  perfect
• was scuffling
  progressive
• were scuffling
  progressive
• had been scuffling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will scuffle
  simple
• will have scuffled
  perfect
• will be scuffling
  progressive
• will have been scuffling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of scuffle

First recorded in 1570–80; see origin at scuff, -le

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scuffle scuffles scuffled scuffling

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

Even after the full-time whistle, there was a scuffle as Velazquez attempted to confront France players.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 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

The 31-year-old was tackled and detained in a chaotic scuffle with security guards.

From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026

It was interrupted by a scuffle and commotion from outside.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

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

Just more than two minutes before the first intermission, the physical nature of the series boiled over in a series of scuffles that ended with referee Graham Skilliter meeting with the captains of both teams.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2026

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 ● Feb. 25, 2026

"There have been scuffles, but they were indeed brought under control by our law enforcement officers," Ibrahime Kuibiert Coulibaly, the head of the independent electoral commission, told reporters.

From Barron's ● Dec. 28, 2025

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

The two players scuffled briefly, with Smith-Schuster losing his helmet and ending up back on the ground, as other players and coaches tried to intervene.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2025

He was surprisingly adept in his rookie year as a head coach at any level, but he scuffled in the postseason.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2025

The Nuggets trailed for about three-fourths of the minutes in this series, they scuffled through extended shooting slumps and they’re a banged-up bunch that can definitely use the rest.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 29, 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

Then, in a big confusion of scuffling and shouting, I am atop The Beast again.

From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads

Related Words

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