Meaning & use
Scruff
Last updated
The back of the neck, especially of an animal or person, often grasped when lifting or restraining.
See it in a sentence
The mother cat carried her kitten by the scruff of its neck.
He grabbed the puppy by the scruff to stop it from running into the street.
A note on using this word
Also used informally in British English to describe a shabby, unkempt appearance, as in 'a bit of a scruff.'
Words with a similar meaning
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Another way to use it
2. noun
A scruffy or untidy appearance; a shabby-looking person.
He showed up looking like a proper scruff after camping all week.
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