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scoff

1
[ skawf, skof ]
/ skɔf, skɒf /
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See synonyms for: scoff / scoffing / scoffer on Thesaurus.com
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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Origin of scoff

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English scof; origin uncertain, but compare Old Norse skopa “to scorn”

synonym study for scoff

1. 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 WORDS FROM scoff

scoff·er, nounscoff·ing·ly, adverb

Other definitions for scoff (2 of 2)

scoff2
[ skawf, skof ]
/ skɔf, skɒf /
Slang.
verb (used with or without object)
to eat voraciously.
noun
food; grub.

Origin of scoff

2
First recorded in 1855–60; earlier scaff; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to scoff

belittle, deride, jeer, mock, reject, ridicule, scorn, sneer, boo, contemn, disbelieve, discount, discredit, disdain, flout, gibe, knock, pan, pooh-pooh, rag

How to use scoff in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scoff (1 of 2)

scoff1
/ (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 forms of scoff

scoffer, nounscoffing, adjectivescoffingly, adverb

Word Origin for scoff

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

British Dictionary definitions for scoff (2 of 2)

scoff2
/ (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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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