doofus

noun

doo·​fus ˈdü-fəs How to pronounce doofus (audio)
-fis
variants or less commonly
plural doofuses also dufuses ˈdü-fə-siz How to pronounce doofus (audio)
slang
: a stupid, incompetent, or foolish person

Examples of doofus in a Sentence

Don't be such a doofus. I don't want to be partnered on the project with that doofus.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
How can someone whose wealth and fame rest on innovative technologies—electric cars and rocket launches—be such a doofus? Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 13 Sep. 2024 His muscly doofus of an older brother, Thomas (Jack Lowden)? Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2024 Besides, there’s the telephone: It’s listed under Dickie’s address and easily findable, even by an apparent doofus like Freddie Miles. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024 Moten makes Maximus a wonderfully endearing doofus, and Arias brings a mournful cynicism to Norm, who seems to be the only resident of Vault 33 who was born without an inherent sense of purpose. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for doofus 

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of goof entry 1

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doofus was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near doofus

Cite this Entry

“Doofus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doofus. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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