What does scarecrow mean?
A scarecrow is a human-shaped figure traditionally made from straw, cloth, and sticks and placed in a field to frighten birds away from crops. Its familiar image—a solitary, weathered figure standing watch over farmland—has given the word a broader figurative meaning. In literary and political contexts, a scarecrow can be a person portrayed as threatening, ridiculous, or contemptible, often in order to direct criticism or ridicule toward that figure. The expression “scarecrow defense” also has a specialized meaning in American football, where defenders position themselves widely to prevent opposing players from making short passes. Although the original scarecrow was a practical agricultural device, the modern word is equally recognizable as a cultural symbol of rural isolation, vulnerability, and watchful presence.
A human-shaped dummy or figure used to frighten birds away from crops.
"Birds circled above the orchard until the farmer set up another scarecrow."
The word is commonly used for traditional agricultural figures made from straw, old clothing, and sticks.
A person who is regarded as threatening, foolish, or contemptible.
"His opponents made him into a scarecrow rather than treating him as a serious rival."
This figurative use is mainly literary and political and is often disparaging.
The regular plural is used for both the physical figures and the figurative person.
"Several scarecrows guarded the fields after the first frost."
Long before football's famous defensive formations, farmers had perfected the art of the scarecrow defense.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scarecrow come from?
“Scarecrow” is a compound formed from “scare” and “crow,” referring to a device intended to scare crows and other birds. The compound was in use by the late 16th century, initially describing the field figure and soon acquiring figurative applications. “Scare” has roots in Middle English, while “crow” continues Old English “crāwa,” the name of the black bird commonly associated with threatening crops.
How scarecrow is actually used
The figurative sense is mainly literary or political and can be disparaging. In American football, “scarecrow defense” refers to a defensive alignment in which defenders spread widely to deny short passes.
Easily confused with scarecrow
A scarecrow is a physical figure intended to frighten birds, whereas a straw man is chiefly a deliberately weak version of an argument used to make it easier to criticize.