scoff

¹ American  

[skawf, skof] / skɔf, skɒf /

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

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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 American  

[skawf, skof] / skɔf, skɒf /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to eat voraciously.

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noun

1. food; grub.

scoff ¹ British  

/ skɒf /

verb

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

2. obsolete (tr) to regard with derision

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noun

1. an expression of derision

2. an object of derision

scoff ² British  

/ skɒf /

verb

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

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noun

1. food or rations

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• scoffer noun
• scoffing adjective
• scoffingly adverb

Etymology

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

Explanation

To laugh at someone with scorn is to scoff at them. People have scoffed at many great inventors, saying their products would flop because the public wouldn't be interested in things like the light bulb, the personal computer, or the pet rock. The verb scoff is often followed by the word at ("scoff at the idea; scoff at the statement; scoff at the notion"). The verb can also mean to treat with contempt or to mock. Naysayers scoff at all kinds of theories, and grouchy old men tend to scoff for the heck of it.

Example Sentences

You want to scoff at that, but you can’t.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

If you've lost track of what thrilled - and infuriated - users in 2025, here's a handy recall: a round-up of the year's moments that made the country pause, laugh, or even scoff.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

Washington insiders would roll their eyes and scoff when anyone would suggest that it be tried.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

It’s easy to scoff at such tricks from the outside.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 21, 2025

"Well, lookie here, my friends. Our waiting paid off. I told you they'd be back, but all you did was scoff."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

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