scarecrow

noun

scare·​crow ˈsker-ˌkrō 

1

a

: an object usually suggesting a human figure that is set up to frighten birds away from crops

b

: something frightening but harmless

2

: a skinny or ragged person

Examples of scarecrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Having discovered a scarecrow dummy — an exact-looking replica of her costume — stashed in Sharon’s garage, a quick fingerprint dusting revealed a clear fingerprint from the kid who was on her porch at the time of Beryl’s murder. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025

The contest-winning scarecrows were outstanding in their fields. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025

Lowe’s has a wide selection ranging from 12-foot animatronic scarecrows, 10-foot reapers, and even an in-ground Kraken, — which sold out in just five hours in July 2024. —Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025

Published in 2009, this story features a tall scarecrow figure with a misshapen Halloween pumpkin for a head. —Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

scarecrow

noun

scare·​crow ˈske(ə)r-ˌkrō 

ˈska(ə)r-

: an object usually suggesting a human figure that is set up to scare birds away from crops