to waste or kill time; evade work or responsibility (often followed by off or around): Exam week is not a time to goof off. We goofed around till train time.
verb (used with object)
to spoil or make a mess of (something); botch; bungle (often followed by up): You really goofed up the job.
noun
a foolish or stupid person.
a mistake or blunder, especially one due to carelessness.
a source of fun or cause for amusement: We short-sheeted his bunk just for a goof.
Verb Phrases
goof on, Slang. to tease, ridicule, or mock; make fun of.
1916, American English, "stupid person," perhaps a variant of English dialect goff "foolish clown" (1869), from 16c. goffe, probably from Middle French goffe "awkward, stupid," of uncertain origin. Or English goffe may be from Middle English goffen "speak in a frivolous manner," possibly from Old English gegaf "buffoonery," and gaffetung "scolding." Sense of "a blunder" is c.1954, probably influenced by gaffe.
v.
"waste time," 1932; "make a mistake," 1941, from goof (n.). Goof off "loaf" is also from 1941. Related: Goofed; goofing.
