How to pronounce scruff
Say it like SKRUHF. Scruff is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce scruff. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SKRUHF
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Scruff pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKRUHFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of scruff
American and British speakers say scruff in essentially the same way: /skrʌf/ in the US and /skrʌf/ in the UK.
British respelling: SKRUHF.
What does scruff mean?
- Someone with an untidy appearance.“That candidate will never get the job: he's a right scruff.”
- Stubble, facial hair (on males).
- The loose skin at the back of the neck of some animals.
- The back of the neck, nape; also scruff of the neck.“He grabbed his unruly child by the scruff of the neck, and took him home.”
- To lift or carry by the scruff.
Words that rhyme with scruff
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of scruff.
Questions about saying scruff
How do you pronounce scruff?
Say SKRUHF. The American pronunciation is /skrʌf/. In British English it is /skrʌf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in scruff?
Scruff is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SKRUHF.
Do Americans and Brits say scruff the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /skrʌf/ and the British form is /skrʌf/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.