scar

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈskär How to pronounce scar (audio)
Synonyms of scarnext
1
: an isolated or protruding rock
2
: a steep rocky eminence : a bare place on the side of a mountain

scar

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
: a mark remaining (as on the skin) after injured tissue has healed
2
: a mark left where something was previously attached : cicatrix sense 2
especially : a mark left on a stem or branch where a leaf or fruit has separated
3
: a mark or indentation (as on furniture) resulting from damage or wear
4
: a lasting moral or emotional injury
one of his men had been killed … in a manner that left a scar upon his mind— H. G. Wells
scarless
ˈskär-ləs How to pronounce scar (audio)
adjective

scar

3 of 3

verb

scarred; scarring

transitive verb

1
: to mark with a scar
2
: to do lasting injury to

intransitive verb

1
: to form a scar
2
: to become scarred

Synonyms

Noun (1)

Noun (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of scar in a Sentence

Noun (1) at the next bend in the river, a scar of red sandstone steeply rises to over 100 feet Noun (2) the scars left by carelessly scratching the car door with one's keys
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The metaphor of showing her scars to him is a very literal metaphor, but she’s never felt the real love that comes from somebody truly seeing you. — Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2025 There’s a 30% to 50% chance of significant flooding and debris flows for areas in the flood watch, particularly the burn scars, said Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. — Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
That was a very scarring experience for trying to do something that felt very earnest for the right reasons. — Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2025 For Loni, a shy teen scarred by years of abuse and foster care, Benita was a revelation. — Nick McMillan, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scar

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English skere, from Old Norse sker skerry; probably akin to Old Norse skera to cut — more at shear

Noun (2)

Middle English escare, scar, from Middle French escare scab, from Late Latin eschara, from Greek, hearth, brazier, scab

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scar was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing scar

Rhymes for scar

See All Rhymes for scar

Browse Nearby Words

scar
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Cite this Entry

“Scar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scar. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

scar

1 of 2 noun
ˈskär How to pronounce scar (audio)
1
: a mark left (as on the skin) after injured tissue has healed
2
: a mark on a stem or branch where a leaf or fruit has separated
3
: a mark (as on furniture) resembling a scar
4
: a lasting injury from a bad experience

scar

2 of 2 verb
scarred; scarring
1
: to mark with or form a scar
2
: to do lasting injury to
3
: to become scarred

Medical Definition

scar

1 of 2 noun
ˈskär How to pronounce scar (audio)
1
: a mark left (as in the skin) by the healing of injured tissue
2
: a lasting emotional injury
psychological scars

scar

2 of 2 verb
scarred; scarring

transitive verb

: to mark with a scar
scarred heart valves

intransitive verb

1
: to form a scar
2
: to become scarred

More from Merriam-Webster on scar

Nglish: Translation of scar for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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