scar
skah
Scar (noun) means a mark left on the skin after a wound has healed. Example: “He still has a scar on his knee from the accident.”
noun
1
A mark left on the skin after a wound has healed.
"He still has a scar on his knee from the accident."
"The surgery left a thin scar along her arm."
"The cut healed well, but it left a small white scar on her chin."
2
A lasting emotional effect from a difficult or traumatic experience.
"The divorce left emotional scars that took years to heal."
"Growing up in a war zone left deep scars on the whole family."
"Years of bullying left a scar that he still carries today."
verb
1
To leave a permanent mark, physically or emotionally.
"The fire scarred the old barn wall."
"Losing his job so young scarred his confidence."
"The deep cut will probably scar, so keep it clean and covered."
How to use scar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lasting mark from an injury — on the body or on the mind.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
leave a scar
emotional scars
facial scar
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Word forms
- Plural
- scars
- Third person singular
- scars
- Past tense
- scarred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He still has a _____ on his knee from the accident.
Etymology
From Old French escare, "scab," blending with a separate Middle English word for a cut or notch — ultimately from Greek eskhara, "scab left by a burn."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for scar
See all rhymes for scar →Frequently asked questions
What does “scar” mean?
The word “scar” means a mark left on the skin after a wound has healed. In plain terms, a lasting mark from an injury — on the body or on the mind.
How do you pronounce “scar”?
“Scar” is pronounced skah (/skɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “scar” in a sentence?
Here is “scar” used in a sentence: “He still has a scar on his knee from the accident.”
What is another word for “scar”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scar” include cicatrice and cicatrix.
What part of speech is “scar”?
Depending on how it is used, “scar” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “scar” come from?
The word “scar” comes from Old French. From Old French escare, "scab," blending with a separate Middle English word for a cut or notch — ultimately from Greek eskhara, "scab left by a burn.".
Is “scar” a common word?
“Scar” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “scar” have?
“Scar” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mark left on the skin after a wound has healed.
What is the difference between a physical "scar" and an emotional "scar"?
A physical scar is a mark left on the skin after a wound has healed, while an emotional scar refers to a lasting psychological effect from a difficult or traumatic experience. Both senses share the idea of a permanent mark left behind by something painful, one on the body and one on the mind.
Can "scar" be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, as a noun "scar" refers to the mark itself, physical or emotional, while as a verb it describes the act of leaving that permanent mark, as in "the accident scarred him for life." The verb form works for both physical injuries and emotional trauma.
Is it correct to say an experience can "scar" someone without any physical injury?
Yes, "scar" is commonly used figuratively to describe lasting emotional damage from an experience, even when no physical wound is involved. This extended meaning is well established alongside the literal, skin-related sense.
