noun
goofball
GOOF-bawl
Goofball (noun) means a silly, playful, or foolish person. Example: “Quit being a goofball and help me carry these boxes.”
noun
1
A silly, playful, or foolish person.
"If that goofball would put half the effort into her studies as she does into her juggling, she might do very well."
"Quit being a goofball and help me carry these boxes."
adj
1
Silly or ridiculous.
"He announced, with his usual goofball humor, that he'd like to marry me!"
"They pulled off some goofball stunt at the talent show."
How to use goofball
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA playfully silly person, or something ridiculous and lighthearted.
When to use it
Informal and affectionate rather than harshly critical.
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Word forms
- Plural
- goofballs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Quit being a _____ and help me carry these boxes.
Etymology
Formed from "goof" plus "ball."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “goofball” mean?
The word “goofball” means a silly, playful, or foolish person. In plain terms, a playfully silly person, or something ridiculous and lighthearted.
How do you pronounce “goofball”?
“Goofball” is pronounced GOOF-bawl (/ˈɡufˌbɔl/ in IPA).
How do you use “goofball” in a sentence?
Here is “goofball” used in a sentence: “Quit being a goofball and help me carry these boxes.”
What part of speech is “goofball”?
Depending on how it is used, “goofball” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “goofball” have?
“Goofball” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a silly, playful, or foolish person.
