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

Inside the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics News and Analysis Seeking to undermine the Paris Olympics, Russian propagandists are spoofing broadcasters and mimicking French and U.S. intelligence agencies to stoke fear about security at the Games. —Andrew Trunsky, New York Times, 8 June 2024

Sham news sites spoofing real publications or posing as legitimate-sounding outlets with names like D.C. Weekly, the Boston Times and Election Watch. —Shannon Bond, NPR, 6 June 2024

Noun

Pegg is best known as the writer and star of the zombie spoof Shaun of the Dead (2004) but the actor has also had supporting roles on Doctor Who and in the Star Trek, Star Wars and Mission: Impossible franchises. —Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 14 June 2024

The first film is still the best, a gloriously ridiculous spoof of cop shows/films in which Nielsen’s Frank Drebin stumbles upon a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth II that involves Reggie Jackson. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 June 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