scoff

¹

[skawf, skof]

verb (used without object)

1. to speak derisively; mock; jeer (often followed byat ).

   If you can't do any better, don't scoff. Their efforts toward a peaceful settlement are not to be scoffed at.

   Synonyms: gibe

verb (used with object)

1. to mock at; deride.

noun

1. an expression of mockery, derision, doubt, or derisive scorn; jeer.

   Antonyms: praise

2. an object of mockery or derision.

scoff

²

[skawf, skof]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to eat voraciously.

noun

1. food; grub.

scoff

¹

/ skɒf /

verb

1. to speak contemptuously (about); express derision (for); mock

2. obsolete,  (tr) to regard with derision

noun

1. an expression of derision

2. an object of derision

scoff

²

/ skɒf /

verb

1. to eat (food) fast and greedily; devour

noun

1. food or rations

Other Word Forms

• scoffer noun
• scoffingly adverb
• scoffing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scoff¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English scof; origin uncertain, but compare Old Norse skopa “to scorn”

Origin of scoff²

First recorded in 1855–60; earlier scaff; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of scoff¹

C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Old Frisian skof mockery, Danish skof, skuf jest

Origin of scoff²

C19: variant of scaff food; related to Afrikaans, Dutch schoft quarter of the day, one of the four daily meals

Synonym Study

Scoff, jeer, sneer imply behaving with scornful disapproval toward someone or about something. To scoff is to express insolent doubt or derision, openly and emphatically: to scoff at a new invention. To jeer suggests expressing disapproval and scorn more loudly, coarsely, and unintelligently than in scoffing: The crowd jeered when the batter struck out. To sneer is to show by facial expression or tone of voice ill-natured contempt or disparagement: He sneered unpleasantly in referring to his opponent's misfortunes.

Example Sentences

Unfortunately, he couldn’t secure the rights and scoffed at using a different show: “There’s nothing to solve in ‘Guys and Dolls’ or ‘Oklahoma!,’ except who’s going to take Laurey to the picnic.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He reaches behind himself to grab a bag of popcorn, and scoffs when he finds the bag empty.

Read more on Literature

Others scoff at the idea that this is a problem worth caring about, especially when women still suffer from more serious problems due to persistent inequality.

Read more on Salon

Biden frequently presented a rosy view of the economy, and his advisers scoffed at criticism that his policies were driving inflation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Once upon a time, Equihua scoffed at the idea of designing pajamas.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• belittle 
• deride 
• jeer 
• mock 
• reject 
• ridicule 
• scorn 
• sneer