WordGarden.ioscar
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /skˈɑː/
US
- /ˈskɑr/
Meanings
Noun
a lasting mark left on skin or another surface after damage
a lasting emotional or psychological hurt from a painful experience
Verb
to leave a lasting mark on skin or another surface after damage
to leave someone with lasting emotional or psychological damage
Beyond the definition
A scar isn't just a mark left on the skin after an injury heals - it's a story written on your body. Think of a knight returning from battle, wearing scars like badges of honor. But scars aren't always physical. A painful experience can leave emotional scars that stay long after the event itself is over.
You might say someone "is scarred by" a difficult childhood, meaning they still feel its effects. Scars remind us of what we've overcome, and sometimes of what still hurts. They're lasting reminders - visible or hidden - of wounds that have healed but never fully disappeared. A character in a story might carry a physical scar as a sign of past trauma, or an inner scar from lost love.
A scar is a mark that remains on the skin after a wound has healed. It forms when the body repairs damaged tissue, creating fibrous connective tissue that differs in texture and appearance from normal skin. While scars are often visible reminders of injuries - like a scrape, burn, or surgical incision - they can represent more than just physical healing.
The word "scar" can also be used metaphorically to describe lasting emotional wounds. A traumatic event, betrayal, or loss can leave emotional scars that affect someone's behavior, relationships, and overall well-being. For example: "The divorce left deep scars on the children," meaning they suffered long-term emotional damage.
Historically, scars have held different meanings across cultures. In some societies, they were seen as marks of courage or part of initiation rites, deliberately made to show status or belonging. Today, while many people seek treatments to minimize their appearance, others embrace their scars as part of their personal history and identity.
In literature and storytelling, scars are often used symbolically. They can represent resilience, trauma, transformation, or the enduring impact of past experiences. A character with a prominent scar might be seen as mysterious, hardened, or haunted by their past.
So whether it's a physical mark on the skin or an invisible wound in the heart, a scar is a lasting reminder of something that has happened - a sign of survival, healing, and the lasting power of experience.
Examples
- 1
Physical injury
She still has a scar on her chin from a bike accident.
- 2
Lasting mark
The cut was small, but it left a scar.
- 3
Emotional pain
Years later, he still carried emotional scars from the divorce.
- Phraseemotional scars
lasting mental or emotional pain
- 4
War damage
The town still bears the scars of the war.
- Patternbear the scars of + event/problem
still show its damage
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Surface damage
The explosion scarred the walls and ceiling.
- 6
Environmental damage
Years of illegal mining have scarred the landscape.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- scarnounverb
Forms
- scarspluralnounverb
- scarredpast tenseverbnoun
- scarring-ing formverbnoun