goof

/guf/

/guf/

Other forms: goofs; goofing; goofed

A goof is a silly fool. If you can't stop telling jokes, even after your math class has started, your teacher will think you're a goof.

There are many alternate words for goof, including dimwit, dummy, and nitwit. In other words, you should only call someone a goof if you mean to insult their intelligence. The mistakes a goof — or anyone — makes can also be called goofs: "I made such a goof when I was mixing this cake batter." Goof is a 1916 American invention, probably influenced by the English dialect goff, "foolish clown."

Definitions of goof

1. noun

   a man who is a stupid incompetent fool
   synonyms: bozo, cuckoo, fathead, goofball, goose, zany

   type of:

   fool, muggins, sap, saphead, tomfool

   a person who lacks good judgment
2. noun

   a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
   synonyms: buffoon, clown, goofball, merry andrew

   examples:

   Emmett Kelly

   United States circus clown (1898-1979)

   types:

   harlequin

   a clown or buffoon (after the Harlequin character in the commedia dell'arte)

   fool, jester, motley fool

   a professional clown employed to entertain a king or nobleman in the Middle Ages

   whiteface

   a clown whose face is covered with white make-up

   zany

   a buffoon in one of the old comedies; imitates others for ludicrous effect

   type of:

   comedian, comic

   a professional performer who tells jokes and performs comical acts
3. verb

   commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake
   synonyms: blunder, boob, drop the ball, sin

   type of:

   breach, break, go against, infract, offend, transgress, violate

   act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises