goof

1 of 2

noun

ˈgüf 

1

: a silly or stupid person

2

: blunder

goof

2 of 2

verb

goofed; goofing; goofs

intransitive verb

1

a

: to spend time idly or foolishly

—usually used with off

goofing off instead of working

b

: to engage in playful activity

—usually used with around

goofing around after school

2

: to make a usually foolish or careless mistake : blunder

—often used with up

transitive verb

: to make a mess of : bungle

—usually used with up

goofed up the assignment

Phrases

goof on

slang

: to make fun of : kid, put on

you're goofing on me, right?

Synonyms

Noun

• blunder
• bobble
• boo-boo
• boob [British]
• brick
• clanger [British]
• clinker
• error
• fault
• flub
• fluff
• fumble
• gaff
• gaffe
• inaccuracy
• lapse
• miscue
• misstep
• mistake
• oversight
• screwup
• slip
• slipup
• stumble
• trip

Verb

• bum
• chill
• dally
• dawdle
• dillydally
• drone
• footle
• hack (around)
• hang (around or out)
• hang about [British]
• idle
• kick around
• kick back
• laze
• lazy
• loaf
• loll
• lounge
• veg out

Examples of goof in a Sentence

Noun

Don't be such a goof.

I made a major goof.

Verb

It was clear that someone had goofed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kevin Rodríguez rectified Valencia’s goof with a wild stoppage time goal to send the match to penalty kicks (Copa America is not doing an extra period, unlike Euros). —Chris Branch, The Athletic, 5 July 2024

There is a nice goof on Marty, and at one point, Moe channels Curly after a passionate kiss. —Donald Liebenson, Vulture, 14 June 2024

Verb

The event happened back on Nov. 23 as the costars enjoyed goofing off together and posing with longtime fans. —Rachel McRady, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024

For as much as George Lucas’s dialogue has been mocked, nobody really goofs on Vader — with one notable exception — because Jones always brought a panache, a bit of wit and class, to the performance. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably alteration of English dialect goff simpleton

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1932, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing goof

• goof around
• goof-off
• goof on

Kids Definition

goof

1 of 2 noun

ˈgüf 

1

: a silly or stupid person

2

: blunder entry 2

goof

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to spend time foolishly

goofing off instead of working

b

: to engage in a playful activity

goofing around after school

2

: blunder entry 1 sense 2

3

: to make a mess of : bungle

goofed up the assignment

Etymology

Noun

probably an altered form of dialect word goff "simpleton"