goofus
Americannoun
plural
goofusesEtymology
Origin of goofus
An Americanism dating back to 1915–20; of uncertain origin; perhaps a derivative of goof ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“He plays this kind of very present, truthful, innocent goofus kind of guy,” says Aronofsky.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2022
He projects none of the shellacked confidence of most action heroes; his Jim is a sweet sitcom goofus trapped in a Renaissance sculpture’s body.
From Slate • Dec. 20, 2016
Zach Galifianakis, Hollywood’s go-to goofus of the moment, is back at it in “Masterminds.”
From Seattle Times • Sep. 29, 2016
He ended his show the same way he began it, as a cheerful, loose-limbed goofus who can grasp the absurdity in the high-stakes world of network television.
From Salon • Jan. 23, 2010
Dad’s fortune says: Only a goofus locks his keys in his car twice in one week.
From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
