scruff
skrʌf
Definition Synonyms

Definition of scruff - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
animal neckloose skin at the back of an animal's neck
  • The mother cat carried her kitten by the scruff.
nape neck withers
2.
human necknape or back of the neck
  • He grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
3.
groomingstubble or facial hair on males
  • He had a bit of scruff on his chin.
beard stubble whiskers
4.
untidy personUKsomeone with an untidy appearanceUK
  • He looked like a scruff in his old clothes.
mess slob
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Expressions with scruff

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in a firm and controlling manner
He was taken by the scruff of the neck and led outside.

Origin of scruff

English, scruff (back of the neck)

Examples of scruff in a sentence

  • She gently held the rabbit by the scruff.
  • Cold rain trickled down the scruff of her neck.
  • He rubbed the scruff of his neck after work.
  • His scruff gave him a rugged appearance.
  • She liked the feel of his scruff against her cheek.
  • The scruff wandered the streets aimlessly.

View all translations of scruff

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:nuque, cou, ...
  2. German:Genickhaut, der Nacken, ...
  3. Italian:collottola, barba incolta, ...
  4. Spanish:pellejo, barba incipiente, ...
  5. Portuguese:nuca, cangote, ...
  6. Chinese:颈部皮肤, 后颈, ...
  7. Japanese:首根っこ, うなじ, ...
  8. Arabic:قَفا العُنُق, قَفَا, ...
  9. Hebrew:עוֹרֶף, זִיפִים, ...
  10. Russian:шкирка, щетина, ...
  11. Ukrainian:загривок, карк, ...
  12. Hindi:गर्दन की खाल, गर्दन का पिछला भाग, ...

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