Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

scummy

/ˈskʌmi/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.37 in modern English

Syllables: scum-my
IPA: /ˈskʌmi/

15

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Covered in scum.

adj

sleazy, worthless, no good

Slang

Example Sentences

"We have to wash your trousers: they're all scummy."
"Now that the sun was getting high it drew thin sickly looking clouds of poisonous vapour from the surface of the marsh and from the scummy pools of stagnant water."
"And what a scummy man / just give him half a chance / I bet he'll rob you if he can."

Etymology

From scum + -y.

Usage

Slang

Inflected Forms

scummier (comparative) scummiest (superlative)

Derived Forms

scuzzy

Phrases

scummy mummy

Frequently Paired Words

cruddy gungy mucky

Synonyms

lousy vile good-for-nothing valueless abject filthy base beggarly blameworthy carrion cheap choical

Rhymes With

dummy mummy yummy tummy gummy crummy rummy indian rummy brummie scrummy plummy crumby

Questions

How do you pronounce scummy?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈskʌmi/.
What does scummy mean?: Covered in scum.
Where does scummy come from?: From scum + -y.

How to pronounce scummy

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “scummy”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈskʌmi/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “scummy”.
Repeat and practice — Say “scummy” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.