goof
1 of 2noun
ˈgüf 
1
: a silly or stupid person
2
: blunder
goof
2 of 2verb
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
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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Nick Romano, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2022 In 1924, one Sternberger fils had inadvertently scorched a burger and covered up his grill goof with a slab of cheese. Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2022 Someone behind the new Harry Potter reunion special must've been fooling around with the Confundus Charm because audiences spotted another editing goof in it — but this one may be cosmic retribution for the Weasley twins. Nick Romano, EW.com, 3 Jan. 2022 But Smith took the goof-up in stride when posting a reaction on Twitter. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 8 May 2022 With a seemingly bottomless feed of goof-offs, dance-offs and good-natured pranks, TikTok bills itself as the happiest place on the internet. Georgia Wells, WSJ, 6 May 2022 Hannah was the de facto hero who Dunham could play as a willful goof. Darren Franich, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2022 Dave is very laid back and easy going and everything is kind of a goof. Steve Baltin, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2022 The opening titles reflected the song's peppy feel, showing Jess singing as she and loft-mates Nick, Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris) goof around amongst brightly painted set pieces. Jessica Derschowitz, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2022 Washington Post, 9 May 2022 The McLaren team has been trailed by not one, but two sets of cameras — one for the Netflix series and one to goof around on a network late-night show. Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 8 May 2022 Let loose today, preferably with some friends, and give yourself permission to goof off like kids again. Tarot Astrologers, chicagotribune.com, 15 Dec. 2021 Not ones to goof off after school, Amir and Armoni Gause instead put their energy into developing unique gadgets and backlit posters in their family garage. Janice Neumann, chicagotribune.com, 13 Sep. 2021 Getting back out on the road for work, and being able to goof on/talk about/complain about matters related to air travel is pretty awesome. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 July 2021 Wright loved to goof around, play sports and drive the car he had just been given by a family member, relatives and family friends said at a news conference Tuesday. Eric Ferkenhoff, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2021 Friends goof around and occasionally tease each other. Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, 10 Mar. 2021 Friends goof around and occasionally tease each other. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2021 See More
Noun
Neither Lizzo nor Sidibe have commented on the goof. Nick Romano, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2022 In 1924, one Sternberger fils had inadvertently scorched a burger and covered up his grill goof with a slab of cheese. Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2022 Someone behind the new Harry Potter reunion special must've been fooling around with the Confundus Charm because audiences spotted another editing goof in it — but this one may be cosmic retribution for the Weasley twins. Nick Romano, EW.com, 3 Jan. 2022 But Smith took the goof-up in stride when posting a reaction on Twitter. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 8 May 2022 With a seemingly bottomless feed of goof-offs, dance-offs and good-natured pranks, TikTok bills itself as the happiest place on the internet. Georgia Wells, WSJ, 6 May 2022 Hannah was the de facto hero who Dunham could play as a willful goof. Darren Franich, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2022 Dave is very laid back and easy going and everything is kind of a goof. Steve Baltin, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2022 The opening titles reflected the song's peppy feel, showing Jess singing as she and loft-mates Nick, Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris) goof around amongst brightly painted set pieces. Jessica Derschowitz, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2022 Verb
In another era this might have been an opportunity to chat or goof around. Washington Post, 9 May 2022 The McLaren team has been trailed by not one, but two sets of cameras — one for the Netflix series and one to goof around on a network late-night show. Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 8 May 2022 Let loose today, preferably with some friends, and give yourself permission to goof off like kids again. Tarot Astrologers, chicagotribune.com, 15 Dec. 2021 Not ones to goof off after school, Amir and Armoni Gause instead put their energy into developing unique gadgets and backlit posters in their family garage. Janice Neumann, chicagotribune.com, 13 Sep. 2021 Getting back out on the road for work, and being able to goof on/talk about/complain about matters related to air travel is pretty awesome. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 July 2021 Wright loved to goof around, play sports and drive the car he had just been given by a family member, relatives and family friends said at a news conference Tuesday. Eric Ferkenhoff, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2021 Friends goof around and occasionally tease each other. Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, 10 Mar. 2021 Friends goof around and occasionally tease each other. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2021 See More 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
Kids Definition
goof 1 of 2
noun
ˈgüf
1
: a stupid or silly person
2
: blunder entry 2
goof
2 of 2verb
goofed; goofing
1
: to spend time foolishly
He goofed off instead of studying.
2
: to spend time doing silly or playful things
They spend the weekend goofing around.
3
: to make a blunder
goof on
phrase
as in kid
to make fun of in a good-natured way affectionately goofing on her little sister Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- kid
- tease
- joke
- take the mickey out of
- rib
- roast
- josh
- string along
- razz
- jive
- chaff
- fun
- ride
- rally
- banter
- fool
- jest
- jolly
- yuck
- quip
- wisecrack
- jape
- gag
- yuk
