scuff

1 of 2

verb

ˈskəf 

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

: cuff entry 3

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

Synonyms of scuff

Verb

• scratch
• scrape

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

Verb

And just like that, from scuffed to spotless. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 5 June 2026

Debutant Crysencio Summerville’s cross from the right begged to be converted, only for Malen to stumble and scuff wide. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Noun

Removing scuff marks prevents them from becoming noticeable eyesores over time. —Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 10 June 2026

Don’t create extra work for yourself by leaving scuff marks on the walls too. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 June 2026

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

Rhymes for scuff

• buff
• cuff
• duff
• fluff
• gruff
• hough
• huff
• luff
• muff
• puff
• rough
• ruff

Kids Definition

scuff

1 of 2 verb

ˈskəf 

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