Illustration of scarf
- 4scarf 2
plural scarves
ˈskärvz 
or scarfs
or scarfs
1
: a broad band of cloth worn about the shoulders, around the neck, or over the head
2
3
a
: a military or official sash usually indicative of rank
b
archaic
: tippet sense 3
scarfed; scarfing; scarfs
1
: to wrap, cover, or adorn with or as if with a scarf
2
: to wrap or throw on (a scarf or mantle) loosely
scarfed; scarfing; scarfs
1
: scoff entry 3 sense 1
scarfed down my sandwich
2
: snap sense transitive 2
scarfed up the best seats
plural scarfs
1
: either of the chamfered or cutaway ends that fit together to form a scarf joint
2
: an in-line joint made by chamfering, halving, or notching two pieces to correspond and lapping them
variants
or less commonly scarph
scarfed also scarphed; scarfing also scarphing; scarfs also scarphs
Synonyms
Examples of scarf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2023
Upon receiving word from Cooper the time was now, Mack scarfed his birthday pancakes, drove to the gym and worked out with them.
—Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 8 Aug. 2023
There’s something about standing in line with at least a dozen other Saz’s stans eager to scarf one down that makes the combination of sticks, curds and fries taste so much better, so much more comforting, so sublimely like summer in Milwaukee.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2023
Leaning into Neuty’s growing fame, Myra created a TikTok account in December and posted videos of Neuty swimming in the pool, sporting a Mardi Gras hat, and scarfing a bedtime snack of apples, kiwis, cucumbers, corn on the cob and Cookie Crisp cereal.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2023
According to WalletHub, Americans will scarf down some 150 million hotdogs on the July 4th holiday and an additional $1.4 billion on beer and wine.
—Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 3 July 2022
This physical trait allows redpolls to scarf up seeds and, if necessary, fly to a safe spot where the food can be regurgitated, husked and eaten.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2 Feb. 2022
And scarf some scrumptious baked goods.
—oregonlive, 2 Dec. 2021
As lab assistant Fleur Anteau places mussels harvested from around the island on the arms of sea stars named Deep Blue and Hamilton, the creatures quickly scarf down the morsels.
—Todd Woody, Anchorage Daily News, 3 May 2021
Sarah Felbin, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023
Investigators added the suspect possibly had a burn on his left leg and at the time of the fire, the person of interest was photographed wearing a black hoodie, blue shorts, gray shoes, green scarf and a knee brace on his right knee.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2023
Both vessels exude a chic French design (pack a silk scarf for dinner) and embrace sophisticated cuisine.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023
Inside a candlelit room in Lower Manhattan, leather satchel bags and silk scarves lined the walls and sprawling pink and green floral arrangements sat on each table.
—Megan O'Sullivan, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023
Even with a wider lapel, the scarf with a bow is a good proportion.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Nov. 2023
At the end of the last episode, audiences see that Mizu is no longer wearing that scarf while aboard the ship.
—Valerie Wu, Variety, 7 Nov. 2023
Guides, ofrendas, origins: De Los’ complete coverage of Día de Muertos
Oct. 26, 2023
Papel picado representing the Palestinian flag hung across an archway of an altar and below it a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarf.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What's so 10 years ago about boots, pants, scarf, and a long wool coat?
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 10 Nov. 2023
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Verb
With astonishing speed, the pack scarfs it down, while warthogs, vultures, and jackals wait in the periphery for the scraps.
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2023
Upon receiving word from Cooper the time was now, Mack scarfed his birthday pancakes, drove to the gym and worked out with them.
—Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 8 Aug. 2023
There’s something about standing in line with at least a dozen other Saz’s stans eager to scarf one down that makes the combination of sticks, curds and fries taste so much better, so much more comforting, so sublimely like summer in Milwaukee.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2023
Leaning into Neuty’s growing fame, Myra created a TikTok account in December and posted videos of Neuty swimming in the pool, sporting a Mardi Gras hat, and scarfing a bedtime snack of apples, kiwis, cucumbers, corn on the cob and Cookie Crisp cereal.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2023
According to WalletHub, Americans will scarf down some 150 million hotdogs on the July 4th holiday and an additional $1.4 billion on beer and wine.
—Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 3 July 2022
This physical trait allows redpolls to scarf up seeds and, if necessary, fly to a safe spot where the food can be regurgitated, husked and eaten.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2 Feb. 2022
And scarf some scrumptious baked goods.
—oregonlive, 2 Dec. 2021
As lab assistant Fleur Anteau places mussels harvested from around the island on the arms of sea stars named Deep Blue and Hamilton, the creatures quickly scarf down the morsels.
—Todd Woody, Anchorage Daily News, 3 May 2021
Noun
Add plush, comfortable Ugg boots and a thick scarf for all the cozy winter vibes.
—Sarah Felbin, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023
Investigators added the suspect possibly had a burn on his left leg and at the time of the fire, the person of interest was photographed wearing a black hoodie, blue shorts, gray shoes, green scarf and a knee brace on his right knee.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2023
Both vessels exude a chic French design (pack a silk scarf for dinner) and embrace sophisticated cuisine.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023
Inside a candlelit room in Lower Manhattan, leather satchel bags and silk scarves lined the walls and sprawling pink and green floral arrangements sat on each table.
—Megan O'Sullivan, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023
Even with a wider lapel, the scarf with a bow is a good proportion.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Nov. 2023
At the end of the last episode, audiences see that Mizu is no longer wearing that scarf while aboard the ship.
—Valerie Wu, Variety, 7 Nov. 2023
Guides, ofrendas, origins: De Los’ complete coverage of Día de Muertos
Oct. 26, 2023
Papel picado representing the Palestinian flag hung across an archway of an altar and below it a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarf.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What's so 10 years ago about boots, pants, scarf, and a long wool coat?
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 10 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scarf.' 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
Noun (1)
probably modification of Middle French dialect (Norman) escreppe, Middle French escherpe sash, sling, from Old French, pilgrim's shoulder bag, from Medieval Latin scrippum
Verb (2)
by alteration
Noun (2)
Middle English skarf, probably from Old Norse skarfr butt end of a plank
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1555, in the meaning defined at sense 3a
Verb (1)
1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
circa 1954, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (3)
1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of scarf was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing scarf
Dictionary Entries Near scarf
Cite this Entry
“Scarf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarf. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
scarf
1 of 2 noun
plural scarves
ˈskärvz
or scarfs
1
: a broad band of cloth worn about the shoulders, around the neck, over the head, or about the waist
2
scarf
2 of 2 verb
: scoff entry 3 sense 1
scarfed down my sandwich
More from Merriam-Webster on scarf
Nglish: Translation of scarf for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of scarf for Arabic Speakers
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