scuff

verb \ ˈskəf \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Examples: scuff in a Sentence

Definition of scuff

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 : 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

See scuff defined for English-language learners

See scuff defined for kids

Examples of scuff in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of scuff from the Web

Pelé shot towards the unguarded goal—but scuffed his kick and missed.

— The Economist, "When drama and beauty turn the World Cup into art," 7 June 2018
Alli spun a great cross in and Kane scuffed the ball off his studs to send it unconventionally over the Everton goalkeeper.

— SI.com, "Tottenham 4-0 Everton: Harry Kane Breaks Spurs Scoring Record in Comfortable Victory," 13 Jan. 2018
The trio has admitted to conspiring to scuff the ball in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage over South Africa, where the national team is in the middle of a four Test series.

— euan mckirdy and bianca britton cnn, CNN, "Disgraced Aussie cricketers returning home after ball tampering ban," 29 Mar. 2018
Papa Bouba Diop - Senegal vs France 2002 With the goal at his mercy, Papa Bouba Diop scuffed his chance to score against France.

— SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 6 Weeks to Go - 11 of the Best Celebrations in FIFA World Cup History," 9 May 2018
The brush shape makes the mascara easy to apply, but its large size can be hard to maneuver into tight corners without scuffing your lids with product.

— jessica teich, USA TODAY, "I tried everyone's favorite mascaras—and the winner was obvious," 27 Apr. 2018
Sirigu almost gifted the visitors an opening goal in the tenth minute, after flapping a cross directly into the path of Ivan Perišić, who scuffed his attempted to chip into the grateful hands of the stopper from 20 yards out.

— SI.com, "Torino 1-0 Inter: Il Toro Spring Surprise to Dent Nerazzurri's Champions League Qualification Plans," 8 Apr. 2018
The ball-scuffing scandal dominated the home page of the website of the International Cricket Council, the sport’s 105-member global governing body.

— damien cave and rick gladstone, New York Times, "Cricket Hero Breaks Down in Tears on TV Over Cheating," 29 Mar. 2018
The ball-scuffing scandal has been front-page news in Australia, where cricket is part of the national identity.

— rob taylor, WSJ, "Australia Is Bowled Over by Its ‘Deflategate’ Moment," 28 Mar. 2018

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of scuff

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1768

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

scuff Synonyms

scuff

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

See scuff defined for English-language learners

Examples of scuff in a Sentence

She slid into her scuffs and headed into the kitchen.

Recent Examples of scuff from the Web

Slumped in his Beijing hospital bed in tatty ward-issue pajamas, the 69-year-old is a warren of aches and scuffs, and sports a whopping frostbite sore on each of his two cheeks.

— charlie campbell / beijing, Time, "'I Hate It.' Double-Amputee Climber Xia Boyu Vows Never to Return to Everest," 14 June 2018
The colors are incredibly rich but the film has scuffs, something moviephiles enjoy as authentic.

— joe pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "There Are Secrets in the Texas Theatre," 25 May 2018
Almost every home today probably has a closet or two with plenty of scuffs that is thirsty for a fresh coat.

— brian sodoma, azcentral, "8 creative ways to use leftover paint," 9 May 2018
Danny Welbeck's only finishing technique is the scuff.

— SI.com, "From the Ground: Collective Failure to Launch Sees Arsene Wenger's Long Goodbye Splutter Into Life," 22 Apr. 2018
Dropping it from a height of about five feet onto concrete caused no damage beyond scuffs to the exterior frame, with zero damage to the screen itself.

— alexander george, Popular Mechanics, "The Most Useful Podcast Ever: The Motorola Droid Turbo II Really Is Incredible and Unbreakable," 25 Nov. 2015
Look close to see the black scuff marks on the back of Brackett's right shoulder and the intricate stitching around each letter and number.

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "From Manning's 'RAMBO 25 WEAK MAN' to the Super Bowl: 8 things to see at new Colts exhibit," 9 Mar. 2018
The man also was stumbling and attempted to wipe paint scuffs off his truck.

— bruce geiselman, cleveland.com, "Shop reports disappearance of collectible bills: North Olmsted Police Blotter," 17 Feb. 2018
The collision left a long scuff on the side of the car.

— david r. baker, San Francisco Chronicle, "Cruise reports its first injury involving self-driving car," 20 Dec. 2017

First Known Use of scuff

1899

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SCUFF Defined for English Language Learners

scuff

verb

Definition of scuff for English Language Learners

: 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

noun

Definition of scuff for English Language Learners

: a mark that is made by scuffing something
scuffs : slippers that are open at the heel

SCUFF Defined for Kids

scuff

verb \ ˈskəf \

Definition of scuff for Students

scuffed; scuffing

1 : to scrape the feet while walking

2 : to mark or scratch by scraping

Don't scuff your good shoes.

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See words that rhyme with scuff Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scuff Spanish Central: Translation of scuff Nglish: Translation of scuff for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scuff for Arabic speakers

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scuff

Definition of scuff

Examples of scuff in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of scuff

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scuff

Definition of scuff

Examples of scuff in a Sentence

Recent Examples of scuff from the Web

First Known Use of scuff

SCUFF Defined for English Language Learners

scuff

Definition of scuff for English Language Learners

scuff

Definition of scuff for English Language Learners

SCUFF Defined for Kids

scuff

Definition of scuff for Students

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