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scuff

1 of 2

verb

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
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

scuff

2 of 2

noun

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

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Baseboards also tend to get scuffed a lot in an active household. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2025 Clinical signs often start in one hind limb and then progress to include both, and may include difficulty rising, hind limb weakness, incoordination, muscle loss, and scuffed toenails on hind limbs. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
Suffice to say, my back and arm had matching scuffs. Elaina Verhoff, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025 They’re made from sturdy, weather-resistant leather that holds up in the rain and can take a few scuffs. Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scuff

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1768, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scuff was in 1768

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scuff. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

scuff

1 of 2 verb
1
: to scrape the feet in walking : shuffle
2
: to become rough or scratched through wear

scuff

2 of 2 noun
: a noise or act of scuffing

More from Merriam-Webster on scuff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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