1 C1 idiomatic slang
To make a place or object visibly dirty, grimy, or unpleasant
"The builders completely scuzzed up the bathroom during the renovation."
separable
scuzz up
C1 slang separable transitive
To make something dirty, grimy, or unpleasant-looking; to give something a seedy or undesirable quality
In plain English
To make something look dirty, gross, or really unpleasant
What does "scuzz up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
To give a place or situation a seedy, disreputable, or morally distasteful quality
"That new bar has really scuzzed up the whole neighbourhood."
separable
Usage tip
Informal American English slang derived from 'scuzzy' (meaning dirty, seedy, or unpleasant). Not widely used in British English. Conveys strong negative aesthetic or moral disapproval. Often used to describe environments, spaces, or objects made unpleasant through neglect or bad behaviour.
Words that pair with "scuzz up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
place room floor reputation neighbourhood appearance
How to conjugate "scuzz up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scuzz up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scuzzes up
he/she/it
Past simple
scuzzed up
yesterday
Past participle
scuzzed up
have + pp
-ing form
scuzzing up
continuous
Hear "scuzz up" in the wild
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