scuzz

American

[skuhz] / skʌz /

noun

Also called scuzzbucket. Also called scuzzball. a dirty, grimy, sordid, or repulsive person or thing.

adjective

scuzzy.

Etymology

Origin of scuzz

1965–70; probably by back formation from scuzzy, though relative chronology of coinage uncertain

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.

Qualley plays the detective in a way that attracts the audience with all of the scuzz of a classic, shot-on-video B-movie.

From Salon • Aug. 23, 2025

Over 15 years, their LPs have flitted between genres with insouciant musicianship, pulling from punky scuzz, regal soul, krautrock, electro-funk and psychedelia.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025

Aficionados of late-20th-century New York City scuzz may want to check it out in its raw form, which runs until Oct.

From New York Times • Oct. 5, 2023

I really want my boyfriend to realize what a scuzz his friend is being and confront him, even in a low-key way, especially as concerns the 17-year-old.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2019

In the larger picture, we’re just a little green scuzz on the surface, says my brother.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023