scuff

verb \ ˈskəf \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 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

Australian cricket has been rocked to the core after three national players conspired to cheat by scuffing the ball with sandpaper during a match against South Africa a week ago.

— the new york times, New York Times, "Pope Francis Delivers Plea for Peace in Easter Sunday Mass," 1 Apr. 2018
Both Thiago Silva and Paulinho missed glorious opportunities to open the scoring from corners, Silva hitting the post and Paulinho scuffing his shot.

— james taylor, Pro Soccer USA, "Brazil 1-2 Belgium: Red Devils Shatter Brazil’s Dreams With Clinical Display to Set Up France Clash," 6 July 2018
Among them, said Stones, was Colombia's players surrounding and pushing the referee, head-butting Jordan Henderson and scuffing the penalty spot before Harry Kane's second-half spot kick.

— steve douglas, chicagotribune.com, "England's John Stones calls Colombia the 'dirtiest team' he's ever faced," 5 July 2018
After England was awarded a second-half penalty – eventually converted by Harry Kane – several Colombian players tried to scuff up the penalty spot while Geiger was not looking.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Colombian captain blasts American World Cup referee for 'shamefully' favoring England," 4 July 2018
In the final minute, Ronaldo had whipped in a free kick to equalize for Portugal against Spain; Messi, presented with a similar set play, his third of the game, scuffed his shot into the wall.

— jonathan wilson, SI.com, "Lionel Messi, Argentina Left Frustrated After Being Denied in Iceland Draw," 16 June 2018
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

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

According to a Department of Motor Vehicles report, the kind any autonomous vehicle tester must submit to the state of California after any incident, both vehicles escaped with only scuffs.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "A Cruise-on-Cruise Crash Reveals the Hardest Thing About Self-Driving Tech," 3 July 2018
Mirack was wearing her jacket and gloves and that, combined with scuff marks, led authorities to believe she had been dragged back into the home, Stedman said.

— alexia fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Wedding DJ Arrested for the Brutal 1992 Rape and Murder of School Teacher Christy Mirack," 26 June 2018
The cotton fabrics have been fortified with a protective frame that guards against drops and scuffs.

— jean palmieri | wwd, latimes.com, "Zachary Prell creates iPhone cases from shirt fabrics," 26 June 2018
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

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

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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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