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

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

The Founding Fathers weren’t scarfing burgers down on the regular while crafting breakaway documents in Philly in the late 1700s, but by the start of the 20th century, hamburgers were quickly ascending as a dominant food in the United States. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2024

Noun

The company is undergoing a transformation under new CEO Joshua Schulman, who is attempting to attract Burberry’s traditional, core customers with a focus on icon products such as the check scarf and the trench. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024

The Dune actor sported a blue beanie, a leather jacket, a plaid scarf, and an uncharacteristic ’stache, emulating Dylan’s 2003 appearance at the Sundance Film Festival for a screening of his film Masked and Anonymous. —Rosana Lai, Glamour, 16 Dec. 2024

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