Scarves and scarfs refer to the same item: a piece of fabric worn around the neck or head for warmth, fashion, or religious purposes. Both terms are correct, but they have different origins and usages.
The word scarf comes from the Old French word “escarpe,” meaning sash or sling. The plural form of scarf has evolved over time, leading to the use of both scarfs and scarves.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two forms and how to use them correctly.
What Does Scarves Mean?
Scarves is the more commonly used plural form of scarf. It follows the rule in English where words ending in “f” or “fe” change to “ves” in the plural form, like “leaf” to “leaves” or “wolf” to “wolves.”
Scarves Examples in Sentences
- She has a collection of colorful scarves.
- The store sells hats, gloves, and scarves.
- He wrapped one of his scarves around his neck before going outside.
What Does Scarfs Mean?
Scarfs is the less commonly used plural form of scarf. It follows the standard rule of adding “s” or “es” to form plurals in English.
Scarfs is also a verb meaning to eat something quickly or greedily. This usage is more common in American English.
Scarfs Examples in Sentences
- The artist painted a series of portraits featuring women wearing elegant scarfs.
- In the 19th century, men often wore silk scarfs as a fashion statement.
- He scarfs down his breakfast every morning before rushing to work.
Scarves vs. Scarfs: Key Differences
| Feature | Scarves | Scarfs |
| Usage | More common and widely accepted | Less common and considered non-standard |
| Origin | Follows the rule of changing “f” to “ves” for plurals | Follows the standard rule of adding “s” or “es” for plurals |
| Context | Used in both American and British English | Rarely used in British English; considered informal in American English |
Conclusion
Both scarves and scarfs are correct plural forms of scarf, but “scarves” is more commonly used and widely accepted. Scarfs is considered less formal and is also used as a verb meaning to eat quickly.
When in doubt, use scarves to avoid confusion and sound more natural in your writing or speech.