goofed; goofing; goofs
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
: to make a mess of : bungle
—usually used with up
goofed up the assignment
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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for goof
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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
See All Example Sentences for goof
Cite this Entry
“Goof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goof. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
goof
1 of 2 noun1
: a silly or stupid person
2
goof
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to spend time foolishly
goofing off instead of working
b
: to engage in a playful activity
goofing around after school
3
: to make a mess of : bungle
goofed up the assignment
Etymology
Noun
probably an altered form of dialect word goff "simpleton"
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