verb
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scoff
skof
Scoff (verb) means to speak about something with scorn or mockery, treating it as ridiculous. Example: “He scoffed at the idea that the plan could ever work.”
verb
1
To speak about something with scorn or mockery, treating it as ridiculous.
"He scoffed at the idea that the plan could ever work."
"Critics scoffed when the small startup announced its ambitions."
2
British informal: to eat food quickly or greedily.
"He scoffed the entire pizza before anyone else got a slice."
noun
1
A mocking remark or expression of contempt.
"Her scoff made it clear she thought the idea was absurd."
How to use scoff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo mock something dismissively, or (informally, mainly UK) to eat something fast.
When to use it
The "eat quickly" sense is informal and mostly British; American English would more likely say "scarf down" or "wolf down."
Common pairings
scoff at the idea
scoff at criticism
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Word forms
- Plural
- scoffs
- Third person singular
- scoffs
- Past tense
- scoffed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ at the idea that the plan could ever work.
Etymology
From Middle English scof, likely of North Germanic origin, related to Old Norse skaup, "mockery."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for scoff
See all rhymes for scoff →Frequently asked questions
What does “scoff” mean?
The word “scoff” means to speak about something with scorn or mockery, treating it as ridiculous. In plain terms, to mock something dismissively, or (informally, mainly UK) to eat something fast.
How do you pronounce “scoff”?
“Scoff” is pronounced skof (/skɔːf/ in IPA).
How do you use “scoff” in a sentence?
Here is “scoff” used in a sentence: “He scoffed at the idea that the plan could ever work.”
What part of speech is “scoff”?
Depending on how it is used, “scoff” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “scoff” come from?
The word “scoff” comes from Middle English. From Middle English scof, likely of North Germanic origin, related to Old Norse skaup, "mockery.".
How many meanings does “scoff” have?
“Scoff” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to speak about something with scorn or mockery, treating it as ridiculous.
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