noun

scurvy

SKUR-vee

Scurvy (noun) means a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, causing bleeding gums, loose teeth, and skin spots. Example: “Sailors on long voyages once suffered terribly from scurvy before citrus fruit became standard rations.”

noun

A disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, causing bleeding gums, loose teeth, and skin spots.

"Sailors on long voyages once suffered terribly from scurvy before citrus fruit became standard rations."

adjective

Mean, despicable, or contemptible.

"That was a scurvy trick to play on your own brother."

How to use scurvy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost commonly the vitamin-C deficiency disease; as an old-fashioned adjective, it means low, mean, or contemptible.

Memory tip

The adjective sense ("scurvy dog!") is now mostly heard in pirate-themed fiction.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

scurvy dog a case of scurvy

Word forms

scurvier comparative, scurvies plural, scurviest superlative

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Sailors on long voyages once suffered terribly from _____ before citrus fruit became standard rations.

Etymology

From Late Middle English forms of "scurfy" (having scurf, or flaky skin), from "scurf," a skin condition causing flakes — ultimately from Old English scurf.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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scorbutus

Rhymes for scurvy

curvy

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Frequently asked questions

What does “scurvy” mean?

The word “scurvy” means a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, causing bleeding gums, loose teeth, and skin spots. In plain terms, most commonly the vitamin-C deficiency disease; as an old-fashioned adjective, it means low, mean, or contemptible.

How do you pronounce “scurvy”?

“Scurvy” is pronounced SKUR-vee (/ˈskɜɹvi/ in IPA).

How do you use “scurvy” in a sentence?

Here is “scurvy” used in a sentence: “Sailors on long voyages once suffered terribly from scurvy before citrus fruit became standard rations.”

What part of speech is “scurvy”?

Depending on how it is used, “scurvy” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “scurvy” come from?

The word “scurvy” comes from Old English. From Late Middle English forms of "scurfy" (having scurf, or flaky skin), from "scurf," a skin condition causing flakes — ultimately from Old English scurf.

How many meanings does “scurvy” have?

“Scurvy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, causing bleeding gums, loose teeth, and skin spots.