scuff

1 of 2

verb

scuffed; scuffing; scuffs

intransitive verb

1
a
: to walk without lifting the feet : shuffle
b
: to poke or shuffle a foot in exploration or embarrassment
2
: to become scratched, chipped, or roughened by wear
a countertop that won't scuff

transitive verb

1
2
a
: to scrape (the feet) along a surface while walking or back and forth while standing
b
: to poke at with the toe
3
: to scratch, gouge, or wear away the surface of
scuffed my shoes

scuff

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a noise of or as if of scuffing
b
: the act or an instance of scuffing
c
: a mark or injury caused by scuffing
2
: a flat-soled slipper without quarter or heel strap compare mule

Examples of scuff in a Sentence

Verb She scuffed down the hall towards her room. scuffed up her shoes by rubbing her feet under the rung of the chair Noun She slid into her scuffs and headed into the kitchen.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Our team assessed each shoe’s overall construction and durability, noting any signs of wear and tear, such as scuffing or stretching. Trina Gray, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Valuable books are protected with Mylar jackets or leather slipcases against the depredations of soiling, rubbing, thumbing, cropping, scuffing, chafing, shaking, and shelf wear. Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
Megan Briggs / Getty Images MLB authenticated by black scuff marks on the white leather ball. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024 What to Consider Our holder sustained some minor scuff marks after rubbing against other items in a backpack for a few days. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scuff 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scuff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1768, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scuff was in 1768

Dictionary Entries Near scuff

Cite this Entry

“Scuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scuff. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

scuff

1 of 2 verb
1
: to scrape the feet in walking : shuffle
2
: to become rough or scratched through wear

scuff

2 of 2 noun
: a noise or act of scuffing

More from Merriam-Webster on scuff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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