goof

noun

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\ ˈgüf

Definition of goof

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a silly or stupid person

2 : blunder

goof

verb

goofed; goofing; goofs

Definition of goof (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : 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

goof on

slang

: to make fun of : kid, put on you're goofing on me, right?

Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing goof Learn More About goof

Examples of goof in a Sentence

Noun Don't be such a goof. I'll admit it's my goof. I made a major goof. Verb It was clear that someone had goofed.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun But Smith took the goof-up in stride when posting a reaction on Twitter. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 8 May 2022 With a seemingly bottomless feed of goof-offs, dance-offs and good-natured pranks, TikTok bills itself as the happiest place on the internet. — Georgia Wells, WSJ, 6 May 2022 Hannah was the de facto hero who Dunham could play as a willful goof. — Darren Franich, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2022 Dave is very laid back and easy going and everything is kind of a goof. — Steve Baltin, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2022 The opening titles reflected the song's peppy feel, showing Jess singing as she and loft-mates Nick, Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris) goof around amongst brightly painted set pieces. — Jessica Derschowitz, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2022 No room for goof-ups and an opportunity to play another day in any sort of best-of-seven format. — Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Jan. 2022 There, Thiessen and her costars honored the late actor by gathering in character at their high school hangout, The Max, to remember the loveable goof Screech Powers, whom Diamond played for over 12 years in the original show and its spinoffs. — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE.com, 7 Jan. 2022 With the new season comes the return of fan-favorite Raymond, aka Stingray — played by award-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser — an eccentric goof who just wants to be in with the popular karate crowd, despite being far older and fairly out of place. — Ryan Parker, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Jan. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb In another era this might have been an opportunity to chat or goof around. — Washington Post, 9 May 2022 The McLaren team has been trailed by not one, but two sets of cameras — one for the Netflix series and one to goof around on a network late-night show. — Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 8 May 2022 Let loose today, preferably with some friends, and give yourself permission to goof off like kids again. — Tarot Astrologers, chicagotribune.com, 15 Dec. 2021 Not ones to goof off after school, Amir and Armoni Gause instead put their energy into developing unique gadgets and backlit posters in their family garage. — Janice Neumann, chicagotribune.com, 13 Sep. 2021 Getting back out on the road for work, and being able to goof on/talk about/complain about matters related to air travel is pretty awesome. — Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 July 2021 Wright loved to goof around, play sports and drive the car he had just been given by a family member, relatives and family friends said at a news conference Tuesday. — Eric Ferkenhoff, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2021 Friends goof around and occasionally tease each other. — Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, 10 Mar. 2021 Friends goof around and occasionally tease each other. — Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'goof.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.