scarify

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UK/ˈskæ.ɹɪˌfaɪ/UK/ˈskɑː.ɹɪˌfaɪ/

verb

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

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

OriginFrench scarifier ← Late Latin scarificāre ← Latin scarifāre →
Scrabble 15
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Meanings

scarify1

verbscarify (third-person singular simple present scarifies, present participle scarifying, simple past and past participle scarified)

present singular third person scarifies · participle present scarifying · participle past scarified · past scarified

  1. agricultureTo remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the soil) from a lawn, to dethatch.
  2. To make scratches or cuts on.

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

    1. agricultureTo damage the testa (seed coat) of a seed by cutting, scraping, chemicals, hot water, or fire to allow permeation of water and faster germination.
    2. To break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of a field or road or a hard surface.
    3. To scratch, etch, burn, or cut designs into one's skin as a form of body modification.

      Stan tried to scarify his neck with a rope His plan kinda failed, but it would've been dope

      2008, Neil Cicierega, “Modify”, in View-Monster, performed by Lemon Demon
  3. figurativelyTo harrow the feelings.
  4. nonstandardobsoleteTo scar.
  5. nonstandardobsoleteDenude, or lay waste to.

scarify2

verbscarify (third-person singular simple present scarifies, present participle scarifying, simple past and past participle scarified)

present singular third person scarifies · participle present scarifying · participle past scarified · past scarified

  1. uncommonTo frighten; to scare, to terrify.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
scuffle

Origin

scarify · verb

  1. Ancient Greekσκαριφᾶσθαι“scratch”
  2. Latinscarifāre“to scarify”
  3. Late Latinscarificāre
  4. Frenchscarifier
  5. Englishscarify

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.

More words from French, Late Latin, Latin

Full word history & related roots →

scarify · verb

  1. Englishscare
  2. Proto-Indo-European*dʰeh₁-
  3. Proto-Italic*θakos
  4. Englishscarify

From scare + -ify.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian разрохквам
  • разрохквам (razrohkvam)to break up, loosen or roughen a surface
Catalan esterrossar
  • esterrossarto remove thatch
Dutch verticuteren
  • verticuterento remove thatch
Māori karawhaea
  • karawhaeato break up, loosen or roughen a surface
Polish skaryfikować, skaryfikować
  • skaryfikowaćto remove thatch
  • skaryfikowaćto break up, loosen or roughen a surface
Portuguese escarificar
  • escarificarto remove thatch
Spanish escarificar
  • escarificarto remove thatch
Cite this entry
APA

scarify. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/scarify

MLA

“scarify.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/scarify. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “scarify,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/scarify.

Source: scarify on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.