noun
scruff
skruhf
Scruff (noun) means the back of the neck, especially of an animal. Example: “The mother cat carried her kitten by the scruff of its neck.”
noun
1
The back of the neck, especially of an animal.
"The mother cat carried her kitten by the scruff of its neck."
2
Short facial stubble on a man.
"He had a few days' scruff on his jaw."
verb
1
To grab or carry something by the scruff of the neck.
"He scruffed the puppy gently to move it away from the road."
How to use scruff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe back of the neck (especially of an animal), or short facial stubble.
Common pairings
scruff of the neck
a bit of scruff
grab by the scruff
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Word forms
- Plural
- scruffs
- Third person singular
- scruffs
- Past tense
- scruffed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The mother cat carried her kitten by the _____ of its neck.
Etymology
Related to "scurf," originally referring to flaky skin, though the "back of the neck" sense is now the dominant one.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for scruff
See all rhymes for scruff →Frequently asked questions
What does “scruff” mean?
The word “scruff” means the back of the neck, especially of an animal. In plain terms, the back of the neck (especially of an animal), or short facial stubble.
How do you pronounce “scruff”?
“Scruff” is pronounced skruhf (/skɹʌf/ in IPA).
How do you use “scruff” in a sentence?
Here is “scruff” used in a sentence: “The mother cat carried her kitten by the scruff of its neck.”
What is another word for “scruff”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scruff” include nape, nucha, nuchal and withers.
What part of speech is “scruff”?
Depending on how it is used, “scruff” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “scruff” have?
“Scruff” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the back of the neck, especially of an animal.
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