What does scruff mean?
“Scruff” is an informal word with two main noun senses and one common verb sense. As a noun, it can refer to the back of the neck, especially the area where the neck meets the shoulders, as in “a hand on the scruff of the neck.” It can also refer to a person who looks shabby, untidy, or poorly groomed, usually in a mildly negative or humorous way. As a verb, “scruff” means to make hair, clothing, or appearance untidy, often casually and briefly: someone might scruff their hair before leaving the house. The word is especially associated with everyday speech rather than formal writing. Its usefulness lies in its compactness and flexibility: it can describe a physical location, a person, and the act of creating a deliberately disheveled appearance. Although its precise historical origin is uncertain, it is now established in both British and American English.
The back of the neck or the nape.
"The dog tugged gently at the scruff of the boy's neck."
Usually appears in the expression “the scruff of the neck.”
A person who is shabby, unkempt, or scruffy.
"A pair of scruffs shuffled into the café."
Informal and somewhat disparaging, though it may be used humorously.
To make hair, clothing, or a person's appearance untidy or disheveled.
"She scruffed her curls and reached for her bag."
Informal; often implies a quick or casual action.
Used when referring to multiple untidy or shabby people; less common than the plural of the anatomical sense, which is rarely needed.
"Those scruffs were still waiting at the bus stop."
“Scruff” has a wonderfully double life: it can mean the back of your neck or an untidy person, and as a verb it describes giving your hair a deliberately messy makeover.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scruff come from?
The word “scruff” is recorded in English from the 19th century, but its exact origin is uncertain. Its noun sense for the back of the neck and its meaning for an untidy person developed alongside the verb meaning to make something disheveled. The related adjective “scruffy” and adverb “scruffily” were formed from the same lexical base and are now more common in some contexts.
Related word forms
How scruff is actually used
The noun is somewhat informal when referring to a person and may sound mildly disparaging. The verb is informal and often describes quickly or casually messing up hair or clothing. The phrase “the scruff of the neck” is common in British and US English.
Easily confused with scruff
“Scruff” can name an untidy person or the back of the neck, whereas “scruffy” is an adjective describing something that is shabby, disheveled, or unkempt.
“Scruff” is associated with making something untidy or with the back of the neck, while “scrunch” means to crunch or compress something with a noise.