scythe

1 of 2

noun

ˈsīṯẖ  ˈsī 

: an implement used for mowing grass, grain, or other crops and composed of a long curving blade fastened at an angle to a long handle

Illustration of scythe

scythe

2 of 2

verb

scythed; scything

intransitive verb

: to use a scythe

transitive verb

: to cut with or as if with a scythe

scything cornstalks

Examples of scythe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Greengrass might be taking a big swing (of the scythe), but his blade finds its target nevertheless. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

She is typically depicted as a skeleton wearing a robe and carrying a scythe and, in many cases, a globe or a set of scales. — Nadia Cantú, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Exactly three minutes and 10 seconds elapsed between Mbappe being scythed to the ground and the Frenchman being allowed to actually take the penalty kick. — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 9 July 2026

Most people were short and slight due to childhood malnutrition, and diseases scythed regularly through their weak immune systems. — Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sithe, from Old English sīthe; akin to Old English sagu saw — more at saw

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1574, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for scythe

• blithe
• lithe
• tithe
• writhe
• wythe

Kids Definition

scythe

noun

ˈsīt͟h, 

sī

: a tool that has a curved blade on a long curved handle and is used for mowing grass or grain by hand