scuff

UK: /ˈskʌf/ US: /skʌf/ ,(skuf )

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

scuff /skʌf/  v. [~ + object]

1. to make a mark on (something) by hard use, such as shoes:
   The rocks and dust scuffed his shoes.
2. to rub or scrape (one's foot or feet) over something.

n. [countable]

3. the act or sound of scuffing.
4. a mark, as from scraping or wear.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

scuff  (skuf ), v.t. 

1. to scrape (something) with one's foot or feet.
2. to rub or scrape (one's foot or feet) over something.
3. to mar by scraping or hard use, as shoes or furniture.
4. Scottish Terms [Chiefly Scot.]
   • to brush against, as in passing.
   • to brush off;
     wipe off.

v.i. 

5. to walk without raising the feet from the ground;
   shuffle.
6. to scrape or rub one's foot back and forth over something.
7. to be or become marred or scratched by scraping or wear.
8. Mechanical Engineering (of machine parts, as gear teeth) to creep from pressure and friction so that ridges appear transversely to the direction of wear.

n. 

9. the act or sound of scuffing.
10. Clothing a flat-heeled slipper with a full-length sole and an upper part covering only the front of the foot.
11. a marred or scratched place on an item, as from scraping or wear.

• Middle Low German schūven to shove
• 1585–95

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scuff / skʌf/ verb

1. to scrape or drag (the feet) while walking
2. to rub or scratch (a surface) or (of a surface) to become rubbed or scratched
3. (transitive) to poke at (something) with the foot

noun

1. the act or sound of scuffing
2. a rubbed place caused by scuffing
3. a backless slipper

Etymology: 19th Century: probably of imitative origin