goof

1 of 2

noun

1
: a silly or stupid person
2

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?

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
But each of these spoofs and goofs had a purpose, rooted in character and plot. Chancellor Agard, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Watch Hustle on Netflix Hubie Halloween In the 2020 Halloween comedy Hubie Halloween, Sandler plays Hubie, a naive yet loveable goof who is a bit of an outcast. Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 The ad, from creative ad agency Special Group, also shows regular people making comically absent-minded goofs. Variety, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2024 Looking back in 2003 with the Detroit Free Press, Kramer described it as a surrealistic goof. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 3 Feb. 2024 The unintentional goof from her cinematographer was very welcome, however. EW.com, 11 Dec. 2023 December 25, 2023 All around the city, ’tis the season for games, goofs, and gags. The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2023 Despite playing an unworldly, stammering goof on television, Tommy was the more liberal and politically driven of the two behind the scenes, pushing their comedy in a direction that gently skewered American culture, religion and the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 27 Dec. 2023 More gags and goofs, political insights, and interviews. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2023
Verb
The same artist that fans see rapping confidently to his opposition in bulletproof vests, is the Pop that music video directors remember dancing and goofing off between takes. Lotoya Francis, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2024 Turner’s post also included pics of herself and friends getting dinner in New York City, fist-pumping at the club, posing and goofing off in front of a sunset in the countryside, making daisy chains, and skiing. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 2 Jan. 2024 Other photos show the former Game of Thrones star enjoying some quality girl time with her friends over meals, relaxing and goofing off in lush fields, showing off new tattoos and a video clip of fun times on the ski slopes. Anna Chan, Billboard, 2 Jan. 2024 But the basic experience of goofing off and being creative online is not on the brink of extinction. Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2023 Shaun shared an adorable series of pics of he and Nina goofing off together, while wearing '80s gear. Women's Health, 19 July 2023 Cardwell frequently posted pictures of him goofing off with her daughters. Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 11 Dec. 2023 Being in the studio together again just felt like friends goofing off. Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 Dec. 2023 Our bad guys need to be legitimately threatening, instead of goofing off. Monique Newman, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goof.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of goof was in 1915

Dictionary Entries Near goof

Cite this Entry

“Goof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goof. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

goof

1 of 2 noun
1
: a silly or stupid person
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
3
: to make a mess of : bungle
goofed up the assignment
Etymology

Noun

probably an altered form of dialect word goff "simpleton"

More from Merriam-Webster on goof

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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