scurvy

1 of 2

noun

scur·​vy ˈskər-vē 

: a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C and characterized by spongy gums, loosening of the teeth, and a bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes

scurvy

2 of 2

adjective

: arousing disgust or scorn : contemptible, despicable

a scurvy trick

scurvily

ˈskər-və-lē 

adverb

scurviness

ˈskər-vē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• cheap
• contemptible
• cruddy
• deplorable
• despicable
• dirty
• grubby
• lame
• lousy
• mean
• nasty
• paltry
• pitiable
• pitiful
• ratty
• scabby
• scummy
• sneaking
• sorry
• wretched

Choose the Right Synonym for scurvy

contemptible, despicable, pitiable, sorry, scurvy mean arousing or deserving scorn.

contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

Examples of scurvy in a Sentence

Adjective

after winning the lottery, she was beset by a whole scurvy swarm of con artists, ne'er-do-wells, and hangers-on

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Things changed when Royal Navy surgeon James Lind set out to see what could be used to treat scurvy, the scourge of sailors for thousands of years. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025

According to a study published in July, cases of scurvy among American children are on the rise. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

Adjective

William and his assistants were nonetheless able to build solid pillars of data, mass death broken down into discrete numerals to represent sexes, ages, locations, seasons, years, and causes of mortality, which included starvation, scurvy, dysentery, cholera, typhus, and relapsing fever. —Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

However, over weeks, people with little to no vitamin C can get scurvy. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

scurf

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1565, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1579, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing scurvy

• scurvy grass

Rhymes for scurvy

• curvy
• nervy

Kids Definition

scurvy

1 of 2 noun

scur·​vy ˈskər-vē 

: a disease caused by lack of vitamin C and characterized by loosening of the teeth, softening of the gums, and bleeding under the skin

scurvy

2 of 2 adjective

scurvier; scurviest

: contemptible, mean

a scurvy practice

Medical Definition

scurvy

noun

scur·​vy ˈskər-vē 

plural scurvies

: a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C and characterized by spongy gums, loosening of the teeth, and bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes

called also scorbutus