Standard Lemma guide

scarify

verb · 12 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈskæ.ɹɪˌfaɪ/
  • UK: /ˈskɑː.ɹɪˌfaɪ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the soil) from a lawn, to dethatch.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: agriculture, business, horticulture, lifestyle

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make scratches or cuts on.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • A combing tool is used to scarify, cross-scratch, or score the surface of a scratch coat or undercoat of plaster.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To make scratches or cuts on.

To damage the testa (seed coat) of a seed by cutting, scraping, chemicals, hot water, or fire to allow permeation of water and faster germination.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: agriculture, business, horticulture, lifestyle

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To make scratches or cuts on.

To break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of a field or road or a hard surface.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To make scratches or cuts on.

To scratch, etch, burn, or cut designs into one's skin as a form of body modification.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To harrow the feelings.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To scar.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: nonstandard, obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

Denude, or lay waste to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: nonstandard, obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

verb

Meaning 9

To frighten; to scare, to terrify.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncommon

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

verb

Meaning 10

puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The men in some African tribes scarify their faces

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: puncture

11

verb

Meaning 11

break up

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • scarify soil

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: loosen

12

verb

Meaning 12

scratch the surface of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • scarify seeds

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: score, nock, mark

History

Etymology

From French scarifier, from Late Latin scarificāre, from Latin scarifāre (“to scarify”), from Ancient Greek σκαριφᾶσθαι (skariphâsthai, “scratch”), from σκάριφος (skáriphos, “writing, drawing, sketching”). Unrelated to scar.

Etymology tree English scare Latin -i- Proto-Indo-European *dheh1-der. Proto-Italic *θakos Proto-Italic *-fakos Latin -ficus Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-éh2 Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh2yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h2tiinflu. Proto-Italic *-ājō Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin -ficō Latin -ificāreder. Old French -ifierbor. Middle English -ifien English -ify English scarify From scare + -ify.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: esterrossar — to remove thatch
  • Dutch: verticuteren — to remove thatch
  • Polish: skaryfikować — to remove thatch
  • Portuguese: escarificar — to remove thatch
  • Bulgarian: разрохквам (razrohkvam) — to break up, loosen or roughen a surface
  • Māori: karawhaea — to break up, loosen or roughen a surface
  • Polish: skaryfikować — to break up, loosen or roughen a surface