spoof

[spoof]

noun

1. a mocking imitation of someone or something, usually light and good-humored; lampoon or parody.

   The show was a spoof of college life.

2. a hoax; prank.

verb (used with object)

1. to mock (something or someone) lightly and good-humoredly; kid.

2. to fool by a hoax; play a trick on, especially one intended to deceive.

3. to trick (electronic devices, as radar), by interrupting or otherwise corrupting data in order to avoid detection.

4. Digital Technology.,  to misrepresent (the identity of a party or the origin of data) in a communication, in order to misdirect digital authentication or other security measures: Suspects spoofed caller ID when they phoned in the anonymous threats.

   Hackers spoofed the IP to fool the network into providing access.

   Suspects spoofed caller ID when they phoned in the anonymous threats.

   The sender’s email address was spoofed to fool the company’s spam filters.

verb (used without object)

1. to scoff at something lightly and good-humoredly; kid.

   The campus paper was always spoofing about the regulations.

spoof

/ spuːf /

noun

1. a mildly satirical mockery or parody; lampoon

   a spoof on party politics

2. a good-humoured deception or trick; prank

verb

1. to indulge in a spoof of (a person or thing)

2. to communicate electronically under a false identity

Other Word Forms

• spoofer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoof¹

First recorded in 1885–90; after a game invented and named by Arthur Roberts (1852–1933), British comedian

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoof¹

C19: coined by A. Roberts (1852–1933), English comedian, to designate a game of his own invention

Example Sentences

In 2015, the Justice Department laid blame for the flash crash on a single British trader for “spoofing,” or posting orders with intent to cancel them before being filled.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

They range from complete unreleased songs to a couple of spoof advertisements featuring Dennis.”

Read more on Salon

When Alan returned from his hiatus in the 2010s, in the YouTube series Mid Morning Matters and spoof autobiography I, Partridge, a new writing team was in place.

Read more on BBC

Digitisation has brought other risks, too, including GPS jamming and "spoofing".

Read more on BBC

"Despite some great lines and an inspired climax, the rock spoof's sequel doesn't come close to the comic genius of the original," the newspaper said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• burlesque 
• caricature 
• parody 
• prank 
• satire