as in to kill time
to spend time doing nothing
returned home unannounced and found the au pair goofing off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goof (off)
Noun
-
On previous records, Jordan’s slacker cadence offered a note of contrast that emphasized her music’s emotional peaks.—
Grace Robins-Somerville,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026 -
It should be noted that Paul Cummins is no slacker himself.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And he is viewed as an underachiever.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The difference in the case of Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys is that many of its students, grades 4 through 8, arrive at the school as underachievers but receive the type of support that prepares them to be college and career-ready.—
Walter Fields,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Just take care of your[self], and veg out.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Jan. 2026
-
This set is damn near professional-wear, with a blazer-style top and contrast piping for those who like to veg out with dignity.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
That’s because if a patient can’t pay or an insurer kicks back a claim, a small practice in a rural area can be on the hook for tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.—
Caleb Hellerman,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Temperatures are expected to kick back into warmer spring weather Sunday.—
Laura Turbay,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So does the bar and lounge Peacock Alley.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Margot has raked in the coin in her successful career, and a simple clean offing of one on whom no love is lost can ensure Tony will enjoy years of lounging with lots of savory bourbon by his side.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Turquoise pearl, and azure line the space, and a cylindrical hanging light sculpture made of hundreds of white and gold ceramic fish hangs about the lounge seating area.—
Kristin Braswell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After beating Atlanta last Friday without Jaylen Brown and Charlotte on Sunday without Brown and Derrick White, Boston flopped in a rematch with the Hawks, losing 112-102 without a crew of contributors headlined by a resting Jayson Tatum.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The project has dragged on for four years, and Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, founder of a farmworker advocacy group called ALAS, said the problem at 555 Kelly rests at the local level.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Get our daily newsletter Yet Mr Schwarzman avoids footling with life’s foot-soldiers for a reason.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
19 Sep. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Goof (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goof%20%28off%29. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
