scoff
1[ skawf, skof ]
/ skɔf, skɒf /
verb (used without object)
to speak derisively; mock; jeer (often followed by at): If you can't do any better, don't scoff. Their efforts toward a peaceful settlement are not to be scoffed at.
verb (used with object)
to mock at; deride.
noun
an expression of mockery, derision, doubt, or derisive scorn; jeer.
an object of mockery or derision.
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Nearby words
sclerotomy, sclerotylosis, sclerous, scm, scody, scoff, scoffer, scofflaw, scofield, scoinson arch, scoke
Origin of scoff
11300–50; Middle English scof; origin uncertain, but compare Old Norse skopa to scorn
SYNONYMS FOR scoff
1 gibe. 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.
Related formsscoff·er, nounscoff·ing·ly, adverb
Definition for scoffing (2 of 2)
scoff
2[ skawf, skof ]
/ skɔf, skɒf /
verb (used with or without object)
to eat voraciously.
noun
food; grub.
Origin of scoff
2First recorded in 1855–60; earlier scaff; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for scoffing
British Dictionary definitions for scoffing (1 of 2)
scoff
1/ (skɒf) /
verb
(intr often foll by at) to speak contemptuously (about); express derision (for); mock
(tr) obsolete to regard with derision
noun
an expression of derision
an object of derision
Derived Formsscoffer, nounscoffing, adjectivescoffingly, adverb
Word Origin for scoff
C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Old Frisian skof mockery, Danish skof, skuf jest
British Dictionary definitions for scoffing (2 of 2)
scoff
2/ (skɒf) informal, mainly British /
verb
to eat (food) fast and greedily; devour
noun
food or rations
Word Origin for scoff
C19: variant of scaff food; related to Afrikaans, Dutch schoft quarter of the day, one of the four daily meals
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for scoffing
scoff
mid-14c., "jest, make light of something;" mid-15c., "make fun of, mock," from the noun meaning "contemptuous ridicule" (c.1300), from a Scandinavian source, cf. Old Norse skaup, skop "mockery, ridicule," Middle Danish skof "jest, mockery;" perhaps from Proto-Germanic *skub-, *skuf- (cf. Old English scop "poet," Old High German scoph "fiction, sport, jest, derision"), from PIE *skeubh- "to shove" (see shove (v.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper