scarecrow

noun

scare·​crow ˈsker-ˌkrō How to pronounce scarecrow (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Visit the York Street location of the Denver Botanic Gardens during the day instead to see spooky scenes like a graveyard, a field of scarecrows and skeleton displays. Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2024 The thing is, Kuzco finds that Adam West is crazy; his army is a bunch of scarecrows. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for scarecrow 

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scarecrow was in 1573

Dictionary Entries Near scarecrow

Cite this Entry

“Scarecrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarecrow. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

scarecrow

noun
scare·​crow ˈske(ə)r-ˌkrō How to pronounce scarecrow (audio)
ˈska(ə)r-
: an object usually suggesting a human figure that is set up to scare birds away from crops

More from Merriam-Webster on scarecrow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!