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
• mock
• imitate

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

With spoofing tools, criminals can mimic real bank phone numbers and even use AI to reproduce familiar voices. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025

The White House launched a webpage designed to spoof a MySpace profile for Democratic congressional leaders, mocking them and blaming them for the shutdown. —Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2025

Noun

The film is a spoof on the franchise Downton Abbey and Laird stars opposite Thomasin McKenzie, Damian Lewis and Katherine Waterson. —Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025

Released in 2000, the first of the Wayans brothers’ Scary Movie franchise parodied popular horror, including Faris’ memorable spoof of Drew Barrymore’s Scream opener. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025

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