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

• mistake
• blunder
• error

Verb

• kill time
• lazy
• veg out
• kick back
• hack (around)
• lounge
• hang about [British]
• hang (around or out)
• rest
• footle
• bum
• relax
• play
• idle
• chill
• loaf
• kick around
• twiddle one's thumbs
• stroll

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

Fans chanted for tables early in the the match, which will likely result in an unnecessary rant about table-thirst paying customers from that goof Dave Meltzer. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

The novel Abby fell asleep reading is a goof on City of Thieves, a novel by Game of Thrones co-showrunner David Benioff, who also wrote the novel adapted by Spike Lee into the great 2002 film 25th Hour (from Benioff’s screenplay). —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 May 2025

Verb

Much of the running time concerns best friends Preach Jackson (Glynn Turman) and Cochise Morris (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) goofing off and devising innovative ways to act on their senioritis. —Brian Boone, Vulture, 10 June 2025

Among the snaps were one of the two cuddling as Tatum planted a kiss on Williams, 25, as well as a Polaroid of the pair goofing off, photos with dogs, the actor lounging in the sun and more. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for goof

• hoof
• kloof
• poof
• proof
• roof
• spoof
• woof
• aloof
• behoof
• disproof
• flameproof
• foolproof

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"