scar

¹

[ skahr ]

noun

1. a mark left by a healed wound, sore, or burn.
2. a lasting aftereffect of trouble, especially a lasting psychological injury resulting from suffering or trauma.
3. any blemish remaining as a trace of or resulting from injury or use.
4. Botany. a mark indicating a former point of attachment, as where a leaf has fallen from a stem.

verb (used with object)

, scarred, scar·ring.

1. to mark with a scar.

verb (used without object)

, scarred, scar·ring.

1. to form a scar in healing.

scar

²

[ skahr ]

noun

, British.

1. a precipitous, rocky place; cliff.
2. a low or submerged rock in the sea.

scar

¹

/ skɑː /

noun

1. any mark left on the skin or other tissue following the healing of a wound
2. a permanent change in a person's character resulting from emotional distress

   his wife's death left its scars on him

3. the mark on a plant indicating the former point of attachment of a part, esp the attachment of a leaf to a stem
4. a mark of damage; blemish

verb

1. to mark or become marked with a scar
2. intr to heal leaving a scar

scar

²

/ skɑː /

noun

1. an irregular enlongated trench-like feature on a land surface that often exposes bedrock
2. a similar formation in a river or sea

Other Words From

• scar·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scar¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; shortening of eschar

Origin of scar²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English scarre, skerre, from Old Norse sker skerry

Word History and Origins

Origin of scar¹

C14: via Late Latin from Greek eskhara scab

Origin of scar²

C14: from Old Norse sker low reef, skerry

Example Sentences

He was left with a broken jaw, missing teeth, 15 small punctures and two deep lacerations on his cheek and neck, which the 33-year-old said could scar.

From BBC

Known as the Modified Eyebrow Keyhole SupraOrbital Approach for Brain Tumours, the new technique means patients are expected to be left with only a small scar and a black eye.

From BBC

“We were Beastie Boys rip-offs and yeah, we had fun. It was a lot of fun. And it was a couple years doing it, I got a cool scar on my temple. Head wounds bleed a lot. So I throw up on the audience, and I bleed on the audience. It’s a very visceral experience if you wanna see me live.”

From Salon

One person wrote: “I don’t want my alma mater to scar Black and Brown people the way it scarred me.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Florence used to find her scar quite distressing but we can relate to Rian and Ruby and say you have all got special hearts and similar scars."

From BBC

Related Words

• blister
• crater
• defect
• discoloration
• disfigurement
• flaw
• scab
• wound