The first scarify appeared in English in the 15th century with the meaning "to make scratches or cuts in" and later developed a figurative application of "cutting" someone emotionally. This word is ultimately …

SCARIFY definition: to make scratches or superficial incisions in (the skin), to produce an immune response or administer certain injections. See examples of scarify used in a sentence.

scarify verb (CUT) [ T ] to make small cuts in someone's skin, especially for cultural reasons:

scarify (ˈskɛərɪˌfaɪ) vb, -fies, -fying or -fied (tr) informal to make scared; frighten [C18: from scare + -ify]

Definitions of scarify verb puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals “The men in some African tribes scarify their faces” see more verb break up

Scarify your lawn by raking out dead grass and moss that has built up over the summer.

Jan 14, 2026 · scarify (third-person singular simple present scarifies, present participle scarifying, simple past and past participle scarified) (horticulture) To remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the …

Definition of scarify verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Scarify generally means to make scratches or small cuts on a surface, especially on the skin or seeds. This process is used in horticulture to allow water and air to penetrate so as to hasten the …

Scarify means to make shallow cuts or scratches on a surface, often to prepare soil for planting or to break seed coats for better germination. It can also mean to criticize harshly.