SKIP TO CONTENT

goofball

/ˌgufˈbɔl/
IPA guide

Other forms: goofballs

Definitions of goofball
  1. noun
    a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
    see moresee less
    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
  2. noun
    a man who is a stupid incompetent fool
    synonyms: bozo, cuckoo, fathead, goof, goose, zany
    see moresee less
    type of:
    fool, muggins, sap, saphead, tomfool
    a person who lacks good judgment
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘goofball'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family