scuff Meaning & Definition
What Does Scuff Mean?
As a verb, scuff means To scrape the feet while walking. It can also mean To scrape and roughen the surface of (shoes, etc.). As a noun, it means A mark left by scuffing or scraping. As a noun, it means A scurf; a scale.
Word Facts for Scuff
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //skʌf// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | drag, scuffing and scuffs |
| Plural | scuffs |
| Verb forms | scuffs, scuffing, scuffed |
Scuff Definition (Verb)
- To scrape the feet while walking.
- To scrape and roughen the surface of (shoes, etc.)
- To hit lightly, to brush against.
- To mishit (a shot on a ball) due to poor contact with the ball.
- Synonym of scrub in (“To break in new racing tires by doing a few gentle laps on them, with the resulting heat serving to remove factory coatings and provide better grip.”)
Scuff as a Noun
- A mark left by scuffing or scraping.
Someone left scuff marks in the sand.
- The sound of a scuff or scrape.
- A slipper.
- A (sudden) shower of rain or mist.
- This term needs a definition ("the scuff", see scuffed sense 2). Please help out and add a definition, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.
Noun
- A scurf; a scale.
- The back part of the neck; the scruff.
Noun
- (sometimes attributive) A mark left by scuffing or scraping.
Someone left scuff marks in the sand.
Synonyms of Scuff
Scuff synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Scuff
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Scuff in a Sentence
Someone left scuff marks in the sand.
Word Forms & Grammar
scuff (third-person singular simple present scuffs, present participle scuffing, simple past and past participle scuffed)
scuff (plural scuffs)
Words That Rhyme With Scuff
Origin of Scuff
Origin 1: From Scots scuff (“to touch lightly, graze, hit”), of obscure origin. Perhaps from Old Norse skúfa (“to shove, push aside”), from Proto-Germanic *skeubaną (“to shove”). Or, perhaps imitative. More at shove.
Origin 2: See scuft
How to Pronounce Scuff
You say scuff as //skʌf//. It has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Scuff
Is scuff a verb or a noun?
Scuff is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for scuff?
You can replace scuff with words such as drag, scuffing and scuffs. See the full list of scuff synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of scuff?
The plural of scuff is scuffs.
What is the past tense of scuff?
The past tense of scuff is scuffed. The present participle is scuffing.