scuff

¹scuff

verb \ˈskəf\

Definition of SCUFF

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

: ³cuff

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>

Examples of SCUFF

1. She scuffed down the hall towards her room.
2. <scuffed up her shoes by rubbing her feet under the rung of the chair>

Origin of SCUFF

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1768

Related to SCUFF

Synonyms

abrade, graze, scratch, scrape

Antonyms

breeze, coast, glide, slide, waltz, whisk

Related Words

bark, skin; chafe, fret, gall; claw, cut, lacerate; bruise, contuse

Near Antonyms

polish, smooth, soften, wax

Rhymes with SCUFF

bluff, buff, chough, chuff, cuff, duff, fluff, gruff, guff, huff, luff, muff, puff, rough, ruff, scruff, slough, snuff, sough, stuff, tough, tuff

²scuff

noun

Definition of SCUFF

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

1. She slid into her scuffs and headed into the kitchen.

First Known Use of SCUFF

1899