# scarf

/ˈskɑɹf/ (US) · /skˈɑːf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scarf
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. clothing for the neck

noun · CEFR A2

a long piece of cloth that you wear around your neck to keep warm or for fashion.

For teachers: a garment consisting of a length of fabric worn around the neck or shoulders for warmth, fashion, or religious reasons.

- He wrapped a thick wool scarf around his neck before going out into the snow.
- The silk scarf served as a vibrant accent to her otherwise monochromatic professional attire during the autumn gala.

### 3. to eat quickly

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal · American English

to eat something very fast because you are hungry or in a hurry.

For teachers: to consume food rapidly and often greedily; frequently used with the particle 'down'.

- The teenagers scarfed down three large pizzas in less than ten minutes.
- Having missed lunch due to the meeting, he scarfed down a sandwich at his desk before the afternoon session commenced.

Usage: Often used as the phrasal verb 'scarf down'.

### 4. woodworking joint

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a way of joining two pieces of wood or metal by cutting the ends so they fit together.

For teachers: a joint made by notching or beveling the ends of two pieces of lumber or metal so that they overlap to form a continuous piece.

- The carpenter used a scarf joint to make the long wooden railing.
- The structural integrity of the timber frame relied on the precision of the scarf joints used to extend the primary horizontal beams.

## Examples

- I wrapped a wool scarf around my neck before going outside.
- She chose a bright silk scarf to add a splash of color to her dark winter coat.
- The traditional silk scarf, once a purely functional item for protection against the elements, has evolved into a versatile accessory that signals both personal style and social status.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.