scoff

¹

[ skawf, skof ]

verb (used without object)

1. to speak derisively; mock; jeer (often followed by at ):

   If you can't do any better, don't scoff. Their efforts toward a peaceful settlement are not to be scoffed at.

   Synonyms: gibe

verb (used with object)

1. to mock at; deride.

noun

1. an expression of mockery, derision, doubt, or derisive scorn; jeer.

   Antonyms: praise

2. an object of mockery or derision.

scoff

²

[ skawf, skof ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to eat voraciously.

noun

1. food; grub.

scoff

¹

/ skɒf /

verb

1. to eat (food) fast and greedily; devour

noun

1. food or rations

scoff

²

/ skɒf /

verb

1. introften foll byat to speak contemptuously (about); express derision (for); mock
2. obsolete.
   tr to regard with derision

noun

1. an expression of derision
2. an object of derision

Derived Forms

• ˈscoffing, adjective
• ˈscoffingly, adverb
• ˈscoffer, noun

Other Words From

• scoff·er noun
• scoff·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scoff¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English scof; origin uncertain, but compare Old Norse skopa “to scorn”

Origin of scoff²

First recorded in 1855–60; earlier scaff; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of scoff¹

C19: variant of scaff food; related to Afrikaans, Dutch schoft quarter of the day, one of the four daily meals

Origin of scoff²

C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Old Frisian skof mockery, Danish skof, skuf jest

Synonym Study

Scoff, jeer, sneer imply behaving with scornful disapproval toward someone or about something. To scoff is to express insolent doubt or derision, openly and emphatically: to scoff at a new invention. To jeer suggests expressing disapproval and scorn more loudly, coarsely, and unintelligently than in scoffing: The crowd jeered when the batter struck out. To sneer is to show by facial expression or tone of voice ill-natured contempt or disparagement: He sneered unpleasantly in referring to his opponent's misfortunes.

Example Sentences

My instinct is to scoff at that idea.

From Los Angeles Times

Hochman, who ran as an independent in a race during which Gascón repeatedly tried to paint him as an ultraconservative, scoffed at the idea that partisanship had anything to do with Tuesday’s results.

From Los Angeles Times

He never followed a script, scoffed at the rules and spoke directly to the economic and cultural anxieties of the country in between grievances about his own perceived mistreatment.

From Los Angeles Times

The Harris campaign has scoffed and eye-rolled when Trump has lashed out, but also ridiculed him as “unhinged” and goaded him into being even less in control.

From Los Angeles Times

When I said maybe it was better if he stayed home, in case things got out of control, Papi scoffed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• belittle
• deride
• jeer
• mock
• reject
• ridicule
• scorn
• sneer