scar
B1Neutral to formal; common in both spoken and written English.
Definition
Meaning
A mark left on the skin or other tissue after a wound, burn, or sore has healed.
A lasting emotional or psychological injury; a lasting sign of damage, especially on a landscape or object.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun referring to physical or psychological marks of past injury. As a verb, it means to mark with or form a scar. The concept implies permanence and visibility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Minor potential variation in collocational frequency.
Connotations
Identical connotations of lasting damage, injury, or trauma in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N scar on N (a scar on his cheek)V scar (The cut will scar)BE scarred by N (She was scarred by the experience)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “scarred for life”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Metaphorical use possible, e.g., 'The scandal left a scar on the company's reputation.'
Academic
Common in medical, psychological, and historical contexts to denote lasting physical or traumatic effects.
Everyday
Very common for discussing past injuries, accidents, or emotional experiences.
Technical
Standard term in dermatology and surgery for healed wound tissue (cicatrix).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The broken glass could scar him for life.
- Such experiences scar a person deeply.
American English
- The acid will scar the table's finish.
- The war scarred the entire generation.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form. 'Scarringly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- No standard adverbial form. 'Scarringly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- The scar tissue was very sensitive.
- He showed me his scarred knee.
American English
- She had a scarred complexion from acne.
- The scarred landscape was a result of mining.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has a scar on his arm.
- The cat did not scar the table.
- The accident left a small scar above her eye.
- Bad experiences can scar you emotionally.
- The mountain region bears the scars of deforestation.
- She was psychologically scarred by the traumatic event.
- The treaty was signed, but the diplomatic scars of the conflict remained.
- The novelist's work is deeply scarred by the memories of his childhood poverty.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SCAR sounds like 'scar' on a 'car' – both can be lasting marks of an accident.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL PAIN IS A PHYSICAL WOUND (e.g., 'scarred by betrayal').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'шрам' (shram) which is a direct equivalent. Be careful with the verb form 'to scar' vs. reflexive Russian constructions like 'оставить шрам'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'scar' for a temporary mark like a bruise. Confusing 'scar' (noun/verb) with 'scare' (verb).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'scar' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very commonly used metaphorically for lasting emotional or psychological damage (e.g., 'emotional scars').
A wound is a fresh injury. A scar is the mark that remains after the wound has healed.
Yes. As a verb, it means 'to mark with a scar' or 'to form a scar' (e.g., 'The cut scarred badly'). It is also used figuratively (e.g., 'The criticism scarred her confidence').
Yes, in the treatment of the 'r'. In British English (RP), it is non-rhotic: /skɑː/. In American English, it is rhotic: /skɑːr/.
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