Scuffed

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having a surface that is marred by scratches or wear
2. Exhibiting damage or imperfections caused by rubbing or bumping against something
3. Displaying a surface that has been marked by abrasions or scrapes due to friction

Etymology: The adjective "scuffed" is the past participle of the verb "scuff," and it is best understood as a descriptor of the marks that wear leaves behind: shoes, floors and furniture that have been dragged, grazed or knocked until their surface roughens. The verb itself comes from Scots, where "scuff" meant to touch lightly, graze or hit, and its ultimate origin is obscure. One suggestion links it to Old Norse "skúfa," meaning to shove or push aside, which in turn goes back to a Proto-Germanic verb for shoving, though the connection is uncertain. Another possibility is that the word is simply imitative, formed to echo the sound of a foot sliding across a surface.

Synonyms: scratched, marred, damaged, blemished, worn

Antonyms: smooth, pristine, perfect, untouched, clean