goof-off

American  

[goof-awf, -of] / ˈgufˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Slang.

• goof-offs
  plural

1. a person who habitually shirks work or responsibility; idler.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• goof-offs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of goof-off

First recorded in 1950–55; noun use of verb phrase goof off

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

goof-off goof-offs

Beetle’s cast includes the title character, a lanky goof-off whose eyes are always covered by the visor of his hat or helmet; his rotund nemesis, Sgt.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 27, 2018

Casey, a struggling Elvis impersonator at a dive called Cleo’s in the Florida Panhandle, is a handsome, sweet-natured goof-off.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 2017

Probably not as articulate and maybe more of a goof-off.

From US News ● Jan. 8, 2016

Phil is the inscrutable sage; Willie, the son who runs the duck call company, is the brainy buffoon; Jase, another son, is the droll goof-off; Korie, Willie’s wife, is the levelheaded one; and so on.

From New York Times ● Aug. 12, 2013

He’s smart, but he acts like a goof-off.

From "The Misfits" by James Howe

As a fan I’m curious, but I can’t help thinking that Cobain never intended the world to hear his ragtime goof-offs or comedy stylings.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 15, 2015

The girl was focused and would give the goof-offs in the class the eye.

From New York Times ● May 30, 2011

Reynolds makes these films with a group of good buddies, and as outtakes of on-set goof-offs run over the credits show, they have fun.

From Time Magazine Archive

There has been too much glorification of the angle players, the corner cutters, and the goof-offs.

From Time Magazine Archive

Marcus, as you know, is one of the biggest goof-offs at school.

From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher