rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryscruffRough facial hair
noun

scruff

Short, rough facial hair.

A few days of scruff darkened his jaw.

Etymology
scruffEnglishrough or ragged surface growth

Rough stubble and an untidy person share the rough-growth word. Its deeper origin is uncertain; the back-of-neck word is kept separate.

More examples

  • He shaved away the rough scruff before the meeting.
  • Her sketch captured the man's scruff and tired eyes.
  • The actor grew some scruff for the role.

Forms

scruff

Similar words

stubble
Both can describe short beard growth; scruff emphasizes its rough, unkempt appearance.
beard
A beard can be long and carefully groomed; scruff generally implies short rough growth.