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View synonyms for scruff

scruff

1

[ skruhf ]

noun

  1. the nape or back of the neck.


scruff

2

[ skruhf ]

noun

, Metallurgy.
  1. (in tin-plating) dross formed in the bath.

scruff

1

/ skrʌf /

noun

  1. informal.
    an untidy scruffy person
  2. informal.
    a disreputable person, ruffian
  3. another name for scum
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


scruff

2

/ skrʌf /

noun

  1. the nape of the neck (esp in the phrase by the scruff of the neck )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scruff1

1780–90; variant of dial. scuff, scuft < Dutch schoft horse's withers

Origin of scruff2

Metathetic variant of scurf
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scruff1

C18: variant of scuft, perhaps from Old Norse skoft hair; related to Old High German scuft
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Example Sentences

This deep UConn team has more talent and diversity of attack than the one Bueckers grabbed by the scruff of the neck and pulled to the Final Four last year.

Our panelists use apps including Bumble, Tinder, Hinge, Meet Mindful, Scruff, Grindr, and Lex.

In this age of beard love, scruff has never been more beautiful.

I read classic dominance-oriented books by the renowned upstate New York trainers The Monks of New Skete, among others, to teach her I was the leader of her pack, even when that meant stern corrections, like shaking her by the scruff of the neck.

From Time

Scruff believes that sex is not the primary concern of users.

He identifies as transgender on Scruff but not always on Grindr.

They are grainy, low-resolution black-and-white pictures, more scruff than science.

He was as striking in person as he is on screen—thin, white v-neck t-shirt, two-day scruff, artful bedhead.

At the end of the month, participants, called Mo Bros and their supporters, Mo Sistas, shave their scruff and have a party.

My escort also fell at this bridge, but I caught him by the scruff of the neck, thereby preventing him getting into the water.

Scruff made no attempt to free his forelegs; but sniffed the soup, and finding that nothing happened, began to lap it.

Greta, pulling Scruff's ears, would gaze up at the speakers; when the talk was over, she always shook herself.

The child stood listening; hearing the key turn in the lock, she sank down on the bottom step and took Scruff in her arms.

At a deeper breath from Greta, the little lady put down her basket, and began to pace the lawn, followed dubiously by Scruff.

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