Meaning & use
scarify
Last updated
To make shallow cuts or scratches in something, such as skin, soil, or seeds, typically to help it heal or grow.
See it in a sentence
Gardeners scarify the lawn each spring to remove dead moss and improve airflow.
Some seeds must be scarified before planting so water can penetrate their hard coat.
A note on using this word
Used in gardening, agriculture, and medicine; unrelated in meaning to the similar-sounding word "scare," despite the shared root.
Words with a similar meaning
scratchscore
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