scarecrow

noun

scare·​crow ˈsker-ˌkrō 

1

a

: an object usually suggesting a human figure that is set up to frighten birds away from crops

b

: something frightening but harmless

2

: a skinny or ragged person

Examples of scarecrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier this year, Ramirez Flores led a group of students in creating a 7-foot-high scarecrow, which is currently on display at the school's entrance. —Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

The 13-second promo includes flashes of red skulls, the biohazard symbol, a bird’s-eye view of an island and a scarecrow with an arrow through its head. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Dec. 2024

He then got struck by a lightning bolt and died, but he is said to reappear in his scarecrow attire at Christmastime, preying on naughty children for food. —Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024

Games include candy cornhole, scarecrow shuffle, jack 0'lantern toss, spin the wheel and bobbing for apples. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

scarecrow

noun

scare·​crow ˈske(ə)r-ˌkrō 

ˈska(ə)r-

: an object usually suggesting a human figure that is set up to scare birds away from crops