spoof

1 of 2

verb

ˈspüf 

spoofed; spoofing; spoofs

transitive verb

1

: deceive, hoax

2

: to make good-natured fun of

spoof

2 of 2

noun

1

: hoax, deception

2

: a light humorous parody

spoofery

ˈspü-f(ə-)rē 

noun

spoofy

ˈspü-fē 

adjective

Synonyms of spoof

Verb

• parody
• imitate
• mock

Noun

• parody

Examples of spoof in a Sentence

Verb

spoofed overly competitive parents in a mockumentary about tryouts for a national T-ball team

the newspaper was spoofed by a supposedly plausible claim of a UFO encounter

Noun

many viewers thought that the spoof of a television newscast was the real thing

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Its selectable impact angle and software designed to resist GPS spoofing are intended to provide greater flexibility against personnel and other targets in the vicinity of the engagement point. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

The tableau of Hansen going face-to-face with suspects seated in suburban kitchens became so familiar it was spoofed in a comedy sketch that opened the 2006 Emmy Awards. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Noun

The material provided her in a Shirley Temple spoof was a sophomoric attempt at satire that got its laughs with pointed needling rather than subtle jabbing. — Hank Grant, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

Don Adams led the slapstick spy spoof as the brainy but hopelessly incompetent Agent Smart, starring alongside Barbara Feldon as the ever-capable Agent 99. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Spoof, a hoaxing game invented by Arthur Roberts †1933 English comedian

First Known Use

Verb

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spoof

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

Kids Definition

spoof

verb

ˈspüf

: to make good-natured fun of

spoof noun