goof

1 of 2

noun

ˈgüf 

1

: a silly or stupid person

2

: blunder

goof

2 of 2

verb

goofed; goofing; goofs

intransitive verb

1

a

: to spend time idly or foolishly

—usually used with off

goofing off instead of working

b

: to engage in playful activity

—usually used with around

goofing around after school

2

: to make a usually foolish or careless mistake : blunder

—often used with up

transitive verb

: to make a mess of : bungle

—usually used with up

goofed up the assignment

Phrases

goof on

slang

: to make fun of : kid, put on

you're goofing on me, right?

Synonyms

Noun

• blunder
• bobble
• boo-boo
• boob [British]
• brick
• clanger [British]
• clinker
• error
• fault
• flub
• fluff
• fumble
• gaff
• gaffe
• inaccuracy
• lapse
• miscue
• misstep
• mistake
• oversight
• screwup
• slip
• slipup
• stumble
• trip

Verb

• bum
• chill
• dally
• dawdle
• dillydally
• drone
• footle
• hack (around)
• hang (around or out)
• hang about [British]
• idle
• kick around
• kick back
• laze
• lazy
• loaf
• loll
• lounge
• veg out

Examples of goof in a Sentence

Noun

Don't be such a goof.

I made a major goof.

Verb

It was clear that someone had goofed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There was no real support to guide me about the fine line between being a goof in comedy and what's stereotypical and what's offensive now. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 6 May 2024

If the manic procession of goofs, gags and aggressive rib nudges don’t leave you in stitches, wait a 0.5 seconds and maybe something will inspire you to laugh. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably alteration of English dialect goff simpleton

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1932, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing goof

• goof around
• goof-off
• goof on

Kids Definition

goof

1 of 2 noun

ˈgüf 

1

: a silly or stupid person

2

: blunder entry 2

goof

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to spend time foolishly

goofing off instead of working

b

: to engage in a playful activity

goofing around after school

2

: blunder entry 1 sense 2

3

: to make a mess of : bungle

goofed up the assignment

Etymology

Noun

probably an altered form of dialect word goff "simpleton"