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\ ˈskəf 
\
\scuffed; scuffing; scuffs
Definition of scuff
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : 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
1 : cuff entry 3
2a : 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
nounDefinition of scuff (Entry 2 of 2)
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The game gained momentum when Rashford was sent through on goal, only to scuff his effort into the grateful arms of the Gunners 'keeper.
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SI.com, "Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal: Report, Ratings & Reaction as VAR Intervention Rescues Point for Gunners," 30 Sep. 2019 Both were investigative essays that involved old-fashioned, boot-scuffing journalism.
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John Hirschauer, National Review, "Jingle, Jingle for the Future of Conservative Journalism," 19 Dec. 2019 To ensure that the primer bonds to the wood and to any existing paint, lightly scuff up the surface first.
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Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, "How to fix a water-damaged bathroom windowsill," 30 Sep. 2019 After scuffing through most of that game, the Lions faced a fourth-and-1 at the L.A. 35-yard line, down 10-6, with just over 8 minutes to play.
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Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions' 2019 season (so far) has been defined by these 5 plays," 7 Nov. 2019 Ballplayers, Bouton revealed, could be boozing, womanizing, pill-popping, ball-scuffing rascals — overgrown teenagers, that is.
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Tyler Kepner, New York Times, "Jim Bouton Opened Up the Major Leagues to Everyone," 11 July 2019 Mexico nearly took the lead in the 63rd, but goalkeeper Zack Steffen denied Raúl Jiménez, who scuffed his chance from close range.
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Brian Straus, SI.com, "Mexico Turns Tide, Wins Gold Cup Title Again vs. Wasteful USMNT," 7 July 2019 The ballplayers took drugs, pitchers scuffed the ball, outfielders peered lasciviously at women in the bleachers.
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David Shribman, latimes.com, "Jim Bouton’s bawdy ‘Ball Four’ transformed baseball's public image," 11 July 2019 Then with five minutes left and the game finally starting to come alive, Jack Grealish had a terrific chance to win the game but scuffed his shot as the game tapered out to a 0-0 draw.
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SI.com, "Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Teams Play Out Bore Draw," 16 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Nothing but the puff of her breath and the scuff of her slip-on shoes as Madeleine Mukantagara walked through the fields to her first patient of the day. Piercing cries once echoed down the hill to the road below.
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CBS News, "Rwanda makes its own morphine while U.S. awash with opioids," 26 Dec. 2019 Police noted scuff marks on the man’s hand, according to the statement.
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Catalina Righter, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Westminster woman charged with assault after alleged argument," 6 Dec. 2019 The sunset reflection is marred by scuffs, abrasions, and dirt.
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Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "Elon Musk Reveals SpaceX's New Starship, the Rocket Bound for Mars," 29 Sep. 2019 That anchors the room and also hides scuffs, because island cabinets tend to get kicked a lot, and the clients have two kids.
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David A. Keeps, House Beautiful, "Mary McDonald on Designing a Los Angeles Home With a Neutral Palette," 4 Aug. 2013 There is also a second-hand market for those willing to accept a few scuffs on the paintwork.
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The Economist, "Aircraft-carriers are big, expensive, vulnerable—and popular," 14 Nov. 2019 Sandra Leik testified that scuff marks were left on her kitchen floor near the stove and refrigerator.
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Freep.com, "Murders of Michigan women still unsolved 50 years later — but cops had eye on 1 man," 10 Nov. 2019 And on one of those lines, there was a black scuff mark.
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Emily Brindley, courant.com, "Vehicle hits two pedestrians in front of Simsbury town hall, police department," 6 Nov. 2019 Homeward bound The step-in height is low with no need for running boards, and the door skins extend below the sill to prevent dirty scuffs on legs and shoes.
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Mark Maynard, San Diego Union-Tribune, "2020 Hyundai Palisade: move-in ready at $50,000," 19 Oct. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scuff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for scuff
scuff
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of scuff
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to make a mark or scratch in the surface of (something) by scraping it
: to walk without lifting your feet : to drag your feet while you walk
scuff
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of scuff (Entry 2 of 2)
: a mark that is made by scuffing something
US : slippers that are open at the heel
See the full definition for scuff in the English Language Learners Dictionary
scuff
verb\ ˈskəf \
\scuffed; scuffing
Kids Definition of scuff
1 : to scrape the feet while walking
2 : to mark or scratch by scraping
Don't scuff your good shoes.
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Time Traveler for scuff
The first known use of scuff was in 1768
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