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

Though the two companies have been long-term rivals, the Super Bowl ad was one of the first times the scuffle was so public.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

Ramsey, 31, said that Chase snatched his mouthpiece earlier in the game, which prompted a scuffle that resulted in offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was suspended for one game by the NFL on Monday for striking Kansas City wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to start a post-game scuffle on Sunday.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

The Metropolitan Police said it had made a small number of arrests after a "scuffle" broke out between the two groups.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2025

The mattress was part way off the bed, as if he had been engaged in the night in some scuffle with intruders.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

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