scuffle

[ skuhf-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, scuf·fled, scuf·fling.

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.

noun

1. a rough, confused struggle or fight.

   Synonyms: row, tussle, scrap

2. a shuffling:

   a scuffle of feet.

3. Also called scuffle hoe. a spadelike hoe that is pushed instead of pulled.
4. (in tap dancing) a forward and backward movement of the foot.

scuffle

¹

/ ˈskʌfəl /

verb

1. to fight in a disorderly manner
2. to move by shuffling
3. to move in a hurried or confused manner

noun

1. a disorderly struggle
2. the sound made by scuffling or shuffling

scuffle

²

/ ˈskʌfəl /

noun

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

Other Words From

• scuffler noun
• scuffling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scuffle¹

First recorded in 1570–80; scuff, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of scuffle¹

C16: from Scandinavian; compare Swedish skuff, skuffa to push

Origin of scuffle²

C18: from Dutch schoffel shovel

Example Sentences

The recent scuffles on San Diego school boards – not to mention the ongoing national and local controversies around critical race theory – show that America’s racial tension is becoming an animating factor in school board politics.

From Voice of San Diego

The Avengers are able to retrieve both stones from the 2012 version of Loki but during a surprise scuffle, the 2012 version of Loki is able to grab the Tesseract and disappear.

From Time

According to a report on May 7 in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a disagreement over trading cards led to a parking lot scuffle.

From Washington Post

The 23-year-old bystander said the scuffle caught her eye and that she started filming because she felt it was “wrong” that police were “messing with someone.”

From Time

Given all this history, the complaint filed against Lieber and the dispute over hiring outside counsel appears to mark a continuation — and certainly an escalation — of previous scuffles.

From Voice of San Diego

Of those who were caught in the scuffle, many were teenagers, students, civic activists, and pensioners.

From The Daily Beast

A scuffle with a teacher results in an arrest and expulsion, and Jameis is sent to juvenile detention for assault charges.

From The Daily Beast

There had been a scuffle at school; well, a scuffle after football practice is more precise.

From The Daily Beast

Sharpton later accused Ryan of kicking a blind man in a scuffle with demonstrators.

From The Daily Beast

Even young people who had never experienced conflict before this last scuffle in November handled it better than I did.

From The Daily Beast

There was a scuffle, and Black Sheep was torn off the body by Harry and some colleagues, and cuffed home tingling but exultant.

From Project Gutenberg

From within the chamber came the sounds of a scuffle, a man's soft laugh, and a girl's softer intercession.

From Project Gutenberg

Digby in the scuffle, while bravely trying to escape, let go his whip, which fell to the ground unperceived by his captors.

From Project Gutenberg

At the noise of the scuffle, OLeary and the others came precipitately in from the studio, believing that another assault was on.

From Project Gutenberg

The scream was followed by a fall, a short scuffle, repeated stabbings, and violent breathing mixed with low groans.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• jostle
• tussle
• wrestle