goofed; goofing; goofs
1
a
: to spend time idly or foolishly
—usually used with off
goofing off instead of working
b
: to engage in playful activity
—usually used with around
goofing around after school
2
: to make a usually foolish or careless mistake : blunder
—often used with up
: to make a mess of : bungle
—usually used with up
goofed up the assignment
Synonyms
Examples of goof in a Sentence
Noun
Don't be such a goof.
I made a major goof.
Verb
It was clear that someone had goofed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
Stewart threatens to steal the spotlight as his typically polite, good-natured goof, and Grant somehow makes an awful character immensely likable.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2024
Emma Soren, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
In fact, the two can't stop goofing off — doing trust falls, dancing to Pascal's playlist, and having staring contests with the statues.
—EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for goof 
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Noun
It’s certainly made for these (end) times: a lushly surreal, cynically ticklish goof on the ineffectiveness of political summits as apocalyptic dread mounts.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
Stewart threatens to steal the spotlight as his typically polite, good-natured goof, and Grant somehow makes an awful character immensely likable.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2024
Verb
Like last week, Danni annoys Diana by goofing off, sucking helium from balloons, and socializing while decorating.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
In fact, the two can't stop goofing off — doing trust falls, dancing to Pascal's playlist, and having staring contests with the statues.
—EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for goof
Dictionary Entries Near goof
Cite this Entry
“Goof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goof. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
goof
1 of 2 noun1
: a silly or stupid person
2
goof
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to spend time foolishly
goofing off instead of working
b
: to engage in a playful activity
goofing around after school
3
: to make a mess of : bungle
goofed up the assignment
Etymology
Noun
probably an altered form of dialect word goff "simpleton"
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