boffin

[bof-in]

noun

British Slang.

1. a scientist or technical expert.

boffin

/ ˈbɒfɪn /

noun

1. informal,  a scientist, esp one carrying out military research

2. a person who has extensive skill or knowledge in a particular field

   a Treasury boffin

3. informal,  someone who is considered to be very clever, often to the exclusion of all non-academic interests

Word History and Origins

Origin of boffin¹

First recorded in 1940–45; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of boffin¹

C20: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

It is not a number randomly picked by statistics boffins, but by Premier League history.

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The IMF's boffins say they can start to see the impact from space as satellites track fewer, increasingly empty ships leaving China's ports.

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In that reused Red Box will be a boffin’s Budget.

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The boffins got to work into the night.

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“It fits into this idea that a group of boffins with a bit of wool and some yards of wire and some bits and bobs can win the war,” he said.

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