scoff

1 of 3

verb (1)

scoffed; scoffing; scoffs

intransitive verb

: to show contempt by derisive acts or language

scoffed at the idea

transitive verb

: to treat or address with derision : mock

scoffer noun

scoff

2 of 3

verb (2)

scoffed; scoffing; scoffs

transitive verb

1

: to eat greedily

scoffed dinner

2

: seize

—often used with up

scoffed up the free gifts

intransitive verb

: to eat something greedily

scoffer

3 of 3

noun

scoff·​er

-fə(r)

plural -s

: one that scoffs

especially : one that scoffs at religion

Synonyms of scoff

Verb (2)

• devour
• inhale
• gulp
• gobble

Choose the Right Synonym for scoff

scoff, jeer, gibe, fleer, sneer, flout mean to show one's contempt in derision or mockery.

scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Examples of scoff in a Sentence

Verb (2)

scoffed dinner before running off to the basketball game

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Their front office scoffs at prospect rankings, where the Angels rate poorly. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

The real estate heir went on to become a vocal advocate for firing former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell — as well as controversial housing proposals, like a 50-year mortgage, that other GOP officials scoffed at. —Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 2 June 2026

Froelich and Cutter scoffed at those arguments. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 June 2026

Naysayers had already scoffed at the idea, and the jokes only continued to grow once AstroTurf was installed with zero markings. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (2)

alteration of dialect scaff to eat greedily

Noun

Middle English, from scoffen to scoff + -er

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

1846, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for scoff

• coif
• cough
• doff
• goff
• groff
• off
• quaff
• raphe
• trough
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff

Kids Definition

scoff

1 of 3 noun

ˈskäf 

ˈskȯf

: an expression of scorn or mockery

scoff

2 of 3 verb

: jeer, ridicule

scoffer noun

scoff

3 of 3 verb

1

: to eat greedily

scoffed dinner

2

: snatch entry 1 sense 2

scoffed up the free gifts