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Meaning & use

scarf or scarve

phrase, noun, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/skɑːf ɔːr skɑːv/
US/skɑːrf ɔːr skɑːrv/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    Used when asking which spelling is right: the clothing item is 'scarf', and 'scarve' is not a standard word.

    Grammar: This is a comparison phrase used in questions, not a normal part of a sentence; the answer is always 'scarf' for the noun.

    Patterns

    • spell it scarf or scarve
    • scarf or scarves

    A common spelling question is 'scarf or scarve' when writing about winter clothes.

    The dictionary shows 'scarf or scarve'? No — only 'scarf' is correct for the noun.

    If you are unsure about 'scarf or scarve', remember the plural is 'scarves'.

  2. nouncountable

    A piece of cloth worn around the neck or head, often for warmth or decoration.

    Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a scarf', 'two scarves'. The plural is usually 'scarves', but 'scarfs' is also used, especially in American English.

    Patterns

    • wear a scarf
    • a woolen scarf
    • a silk scarf

    She wrapped a thick scarf around her neck before going outside.

    He bought a red scarf to match his winter coat.

    The team's supporters waved scarves in the air.

  3. verbtransitiveinformalAmerican

    To eat something very quickly and eagerly (informal, mainly American).

    Grammar: Takes an object: 'scarf down a sandwich'. Often used with 'down' in American English.

    Patterns

    • scarf something down
    • scarf down a meal

    He scarfed down his lunch in five minutes.

    The kids scarfed all the cookies before dinner.

Word forms

pluralscarves
pluralscarfs
third person singularscarfs
past tensescarfed
past participlescarfed
-ing formscarfing

Common combinations

woolen scarf
He wore a woolen scarf to keep warm.
silk scarf
She tied a silk scarf around her hair.
scarf down
They scarfed down their dinner and ran out to play.
wrap a scarf around
Wrap a scarf around your neck; it's freezing.

Synonyms and how they differ

shawl
A shawl is larger and usually covers the shoulders, while a scarf is narrower and goes around the neck or head.
muffler
An old-fashioned word for a thick scarf worn for warmth.

Commonly confused: scarf or scarve or scarve? scarf or scarve or carve?

scarf or scarve vs scarve

'Scarve' is not a standard English word. The correct noun is 'scarf' and the plural is 'scarves'.

scarf or scarve vs carve

'Carve' means to cut something, especially meat or wood; it sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

Practice

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