scuffle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
scuffles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
scuffled,
past participle, past
-
scuffling
present participle
-
to struggle or fight in a rough, confused manner.
-
to go or move in hurried confusion.
-
to move or go with a shuffle; scuff.
verb
-
to fight in a disorderly manner
-
to move by shuffling
-
to move in a hurried or confused manner
noun
-
a disorderly struggle
-
the sound made by scuffling or shuffling
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
scufflesimple
-
scufflessimple
-
have scuffledperfect
-
has scuffledperfect
-
am scufflingprogressive
-
are scufflingprogressive
-
is scufflingprogressive
-
have been scufflingperfect progressive
-
has been scufflingperfect progressive
Past
-
scuffledsimple
-
had scuffledperfect
-
was scufflingprogressive
-
were scufflingprogressive
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 26–31
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Dear Martin
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
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
Initial reports said visitors, mostly young people, were crammed against a single entrance and a scuffle broke out between those trying to leave and enter the site.
From Barron's ● Apr. 12, 2026
From the hallway came sounds of scuffle and collision.
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
But the gatherings have led to few incidents so far aside from a few scuffles shared on social media.
From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026
Swatch also closed stores in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow and London over safety concerns, with social media video showing big queues and scuffles in other stores internationally.
From BBC ● May 19, 2026
Remember its carefully telegraphed missile strikes after previous scuffles, easily shot down by the U.S. and its allies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026
There were some scuffles, apparently between protesters and counterdemonstrators.
From Barron's ● Mar. 8, 2026
Alan had had his share of scuffles and could handle himself okay.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
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
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
Magelssen still remembers how, during the play’s restaging in Ohio, a police car pulled up as two actors scuffled amid the cornstalks for a scene.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2023
The five of them scuffled wildly under the table.
From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster
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
Swinging their hands and scuffling their feet, they came to the end of Cannery Row and turned up to the railroad track.
From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck
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.
