scruff

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈskrəf 

plural scruffs

: the back of the neck : nape

scruff

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a thin growth of beard : stubble

He's lean, and not too tall, with spiky hair, scruff on his chin, and a deep voice.

—Margot Cleary

The uniform isn't so much suit and tie as it is plaid shirt, work boots, and two-day scruff.

—Laura Regensdorf

Examples of scruff in a Sentence

Noun (1)

She held the kitten by the scruff of its neck.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There’s a new promo picture going around showing a Dusty Milligan with facial hair (see: above) — and listen, not to besmirch his infinity-pool jawline, but the dude looks so much better with that scruff. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

Men's Grooming Kit Gift Set This four-piece gift includes a 4-ounce face wash, a 4-ounce beard and scruff cream, a 1.5-ounce beard oil, and a dry brush. —Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2024

His father’s hand is on the dog’s scruff, and his father, too, is grinning. —Paul Yoon, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024

Royal watchers were shocked because William hadn't been seen with scruff since the royal family's Christmas Day church outing in 2008 — 16 years prior. —Janine Henni, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

variant of earlier scuff, cuff, of obscure origin

Noun (2)

back-formation from scruffy

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1790, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1974, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scruff

noun

ˈskrəf 

: the skin of the back of the neck : nape