scruff

Plural: scruffs

Noun

• The back of the neck, especially of an animal.
• the back side of the neck
• Someone with an untidy appearance.
• Stubble, facial hair (on males).
• Crust.
• Scurf.
• The loose skin at the back of the neck of some animals.
• The back of the neck, nape; also scruff of the neck.

Verb

• To lift or carry by the scruff.

Examples

• He grabbed his unruly child by the scruff of the neck, and took him home.
• He mentally grabbed the Scrabble board by the SCRUFF and reshaped his strategy.
• That candidate will never get the job: he's a right scruff.

Synonyms

nape, nucha, nuchal, withers

Related Words

scuff