English Explanatory Dictionary

goof

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A mistake or error.
  2. An error made during production which finds its way into the final release.
  3. A foolish and/or silly person; a goofball.
  4. A rapist.
verb
  1. To make a mistake.
  2. To engage in mischief.

Pronunciation

/ɡuːf/ En-au-goof.ogg

Word forms

goof goofs goofing goofed

Etymology

Perhaps from dialectal English goff (“foolish clown”), from earlier goffe, in which case further etymology is uncertain. Perhaps from Middle English goffen (“to speak in a frivolous manner”), possibly from Old English gaf, ġegaf (“base; wanton; lewd”, adjective), ġegaf (“buffoonery; scurrility”, noun), gaffetung, golfettung (“buffoonery; mockery”). Compare English dialectal gauffin (“lightheaded; foolish; giddy”), Scots gaff, gawf (“to talk loudly; babble”), Scots gaffaw (“a loud laugh”). Alternatively, perhaps from Middle French goffe (“awkward; stupid”). Compare also Spanish gofo, Italian goffo.

Synonyms

blooper boo-boo error faux pas fluff gaffe lapse mistake slip stumble thinko aberration bloomer blunder boner break clanger cock-up fault floater flub fuckup goof howler inaccuracy lapsus mess-up misstep oopsy screwup slip-up slipup wrength solecism erroneity goof around

Derived words

goof around goofball goofer goofery goofish goof off goof-off goof on goofproof goof up goofus goofy

Translations

Bulgarian: гаф Czech: bota Czech: hloupá chyba Estonian: viga Finnish: moka Finnish: virhe Finnish: munaus French: gaffe Italian: sbaglio Italian: errore Persian: گاف Polish: babol Portuguese: gafe Russian: опло́шность Russian: оши́бка Russian: растли́тель Russian: растли́тельница Russian: педофи́л Swedish: misstag Swedish: fel Swedish: tabbe Swedish: peddo
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