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

Verb

• burlesque
• caricature
• do
• imitate
• mimic
• mock
• parody
• send up
• travesty

Noun

• burlesque
• caricature
• parody
• put-on
• rib
• send-up
• takeoff
• travesty

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

The Federal Communications Commission, which regulates U.S. telecommunications, fined Kramer $6 million, accusing him of violating existing agency rules against spoofing phone numbers to defraud. —Kevin Collier, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2024

The show’s 10-season run continues to live on in pop culture; SNL spoofed it in a 2022 episode, and Ryan Reynolds (who was once engaged to Morissette) immediately cited YCDTOT when asked in a recent interview to name an important Canadian show. —Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Aug. 2024

Noun

Focus Features did decent business with the Woody Harrelson sports comedy Champions ($16 million domestic), and Thelma, the senior-citizen action spoof, earned a respectable $8.7 million for Magnolia, but low-budget indie comedy breakouts have become a rarity. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024

Now the costumes available at Spirit Halloween are bringing the spoof IRL. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2024

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

Kids Definition

spoof

verb

ˈspüf

: to make good-natured fun of

spoof noun