Scarfs or Scarves? The Correct Plural (and What a Scarf Is)
Scarfs or scarves? Both plurals are correct. Here is which one to use, why, plus the meaning of scarf and its synonyms.
Short answer: both scarves and scarfs are correct plurals of scarf. Scarves is far more common in modern American and British English, so it is the safe choice.
Scarves vs scarfs
| Scarves | Scarfs | |
|---|---|---|
| Correct? | Yes | Yes |
| How common? | Much more common today | Less common, still in dictionaries |
| Use it when… | Writing for most readers | Matching a style guide that prefers it |
Major dictionaries list both. If you have no style guide to follow, use scarves.
Why does scarf become scarves?
English has a group of nouns ending in -f or -fe that change to -ves in the plural: leaf → leaves, wolf → wolves, knife → knives, half → halves. Scarf follows the same pattern. Some words in this group, like scarf, dwarf and hoof, also accept a regular -s plural.
What does “scarf” mean?
As a noun, a scarf is a length or square of fabric worn around the neck, head or shoulders for warmth, protection or style.
The word has other meanings too:
- Verb (informal): to eat quickly — “he scarfed down his lunch”. In this sense the forms are scarfs, scarfed, scarfing, never “scarves”.
- Woodworking: a scarf joint joins two pieces of wood end to end with long, overlapping angled cuts.
Other words for scarf
- Muffler: a warm winter scarf, often wool.
- Neckerchief: a small square scarf tied around the neck.
- Bandana: a square cotton scarf, usually patterned.
- Cravat / ascot: a formal neck scarf worn inside the shirt collar.
- Shawl, stole, wrap: larger pieces worn over the shoulders. See shawl vs scarf vs stole.
- Foulard: a lightweight silk or silk-like fabric, and a scarf made from it. See what is a foulard.
- Snood / infinity scarf: a scarf joined into a loop.
Examples
- “He owns three wool scarves.”
- “Our men’s scarves ship free in the US.”
- “She scarfed down a sandwich before the meeting.” (verb)
FAQ
Is “scarfs” wrong?
No. It is a recognized plural, just less common than scarves.
How do you say scarf in French?
A warm scarf is une écharpe; a light silk scarf is un foulard. Details in scarf in French.
Now that the grammar is settled, see how to wear a scarf or the different types of scarves.