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
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 July 2024
As a team, their music was collage and loops and goofs and earnestness.
—Joe Gross, SPIN, 28 June 2024
Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2024
Everyone gets a good laugh at the ridiculousness of me constantly running around and goofing on each other.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for goof 
Noun
The prior examples of his goofs and verbal stumbles have been re-aired and reexamined, giving ammo to the rebels, but the old war horse, who won his first Senate election at age 29 in 1972, still has the fight in him to hold off fellow Democrats.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 July 2024
As a team, their music was collage and loops and goofs and earnestness.
—Joe Gross, SPIN, 28 June 2024
Verb
The couple also seemed to enjoy a nice ride out on the sea, per photographs that captured the two goofing off in their lifevests on an orange sofa inflatable.
—Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2024
Everyone gets a good laugh at the ridiculousness of me constantly running around and goofing on each other.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for goof
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goof.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near goof
Cite this Entry
“Goof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goof. Accessed 18 Aug. 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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