goof

[goof]

verb (used without object)

1. to blunder; make an error, misjudgment, etc.

2. to waste or kill time; evade work or responsibility (often followed by off oraround ).

   Exam week is not a time to goof off. We goofed around till train time.

verb (used with object)

1. to spoil or make a mess of (something); botch; bungle (often followed byup ).

   You really goofed up the job.

noun

1. a foolish or stupid person.

2. a mistake or blunder, especially one due to carelessness.

3. a source of fun or cause for amusement.

   We short-sheeted his bunk just for a goof.

verb phrase

1. goof on,  to tease, ridicule, or mock; make fun of.

goof

/ ɡuːf /

noun

1. a foolish error or mistake

2. a stupid person

verb

1. to bungle (something); botch

2. (intr; often foll by about or around) to fool (around); mess (about)

3. (tr) to dope with drugs

4. to waste time; idle

Word History and Origins

Origin of goof¹

1915–20; apparently variant of obsolete goff dolt < Middle French goffe awkward, stupid

Word History and Origins

Origin of goof¹

C20: probably from (dialect) goff simpleton, from Old French goffe clumsy, from Italian goffo, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

He goofs off with the ball kids, who are closer in age to him than any of the tennis pooh-bahs in charge.

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The fact that these goofs hold managerial positions is proof that the structures designed to aid the vulnerable aren’t working as they should, and on purpose.

Read more on Salon

Sadly, stand-up comedy can sometimes just be goofing around — and it is.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They were not only siblings or bandmates; they were girls together, making faces at each other and goofing off in hotel rooms between gigs.

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But sometimes, movies like “The Monkey” can only see fit to goof around with toys.

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Related Words

• err 
• flub 
• screw up