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)

• inhale
• devour
• wolf
• gulp

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

Noun

On the red carpet at the Emmy Awards Sunday, actor Javier Bardem wore a keffiyeh, a black and white Palestinian scarf. —Mandalit Del Barco, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025

As the equinox ushers in fall, consider shifting your wardrobe by swapping your bathing suits, linens, and sandals for cozy cashmere and wool sweaters and staples like leather boots and silk scarves. —Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2025

Verb

Gregory scarfs one down like a rabid animal, while Janine, high off iced tea and lemonade, aggressively demands to know what’s inside the drinks. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025

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

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

Rhymes for scarf

• scharf
• headscarf

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