scarf

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈskärf 

plural scarves ˈskärvz  or scarfs

1

: a broad band of cloth worn about the shoulders, around the neck, or over the head

2

: runner sense 6b

3

a

: a military or official sash usually indicative of rank

b

archaic : tippet sense 3

scarf

2 of 5

verb (1)

scarfed; scarfing; scarfs

transitive verb

1

: to wrap, cover, or adorn with or as if with a scarf

2

: to wrap or throw on (a scarf or mantle) loosely

scarf

3 of 5

verb (2)

scarfed; scarfing; scarfs

transitive verb

1

: scoff entry 3 sense 1

scarfed down my sandwich

2

: snap sense transitive 2

scarfed up the best seats

scarf

4 of 5

noun (2)

plural scarfs

1

: either of the chamfered or cutaway ends that fit together to form a scarf joint

2

: an in-line joint made by chamfering, halving, or notching two pieces to correspond and lapping them

Illustration of scarf

• ⁴scarf 2

scarf

5 of 5

verb (3)

ˈskärf 

variants or less commonly scarph

scarfed also scarphed; scarfing also scarphing; scarfs also scarphs

transitive verb

1

: to unite by a scarf joint

2

: to form a scarf on

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• bolt
• cram
• devour
• glut [archaic]
• gobble
• gorge
• gormandize
• gulp
• ingurgitate
• inhale
• raven
• scoff
• slop
• wolf

Examples of scarf in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the college students scarfed the entire contents of the care package in one sitting

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

For Evie and her brethren who sit around scarfing Doritos and energy drinks while leveling in Warcraft’s world of Azeroth, the landscape on their screens is grander than anything Marvel can offer. —David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025

The guys now scarf their slices standing up while their headlamps beam in the dark. —Britta Lokting, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2024

Noun

They were clad in yellow scarves, a symbol of support that was also used during the Iran hostage crisis when more than 50 Americans were held at the U.S. embassy in Tehran. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025

In lieu of the standard tuxedo, consider a pleated skirt like Oscar Isaac, a floppy tie like Josh O’Connor, or a formal scarf like Damiano David. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably modification of Middle French dialect (Norman) escreppe, Middle French escherpe sash, sling, from Old French, pilgrim's shoulder bag, from Medieval Latin scrippum

Verb (2)

by alteration

Noun (2)

Middle English skarf, probably from Old Norse skarfr butt end of a plank

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb (1)

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1954, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (3)

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scarf

• infinity scarf
• scarf down
• scarf up

Kids Definition

scarf

1 of 2 noun

ˈskärf 

plural scarves

ˈskärvz

or scarfs

1

: a broad band of cloth worn about the shoulders, around the neck, over the head, or about the waist

2

: runner sense 5b

scarf

2 of 2 verb

: scoff entry 3 sense 1

scarfed down my sandwich