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scoff - 8 dictionary results

scoff

1  [skawf, skof]
Use scoff in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to speak derisively; mock; jeer (often fol. by at): If you can't do any better, don't scoff. Their efforts toward a peaceful settlement are not to be scoffed at.
–verb (used with object)
2. to mock at; deride.
–noun
3. an expression of mockery, derision, doubt, or derisive scorn; jeer.
4. an object of mockery or derision.
Origin:
1300–50; ME scof; orig. uncert., but cf. ON skopa to scorn

Related forms:
scoffer, noun
scoff⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. gibe. 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.

Antonyms:
3. praise.

scoff

2  [skawf, skof] Slang.
–verb (used without object), verb (used with object)
1. to eat voraciously.
–noun
2. food; grub.
Origin:
1855–60; earlier scaff; orig. uncert.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To scoff
scoff 1   (skŏf, skôf)   
v.   scoffed, scoff·ing, scoffs

v.   tr.
To mock at or treat with derision.
v.   intr.
To show or express derision or scorn.
n.  An expression of derision or scorn.

[Middle English scoffen, from scof, mockery, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish skof, jest, teasing.]
scoff'er n., scoff'ing·ly adv.
scoff 2   (skŏf, skôf)   
v.   scoffed, scoff·ing, scoffs Slang

v.   tr.
To eat (food) quickly and greedily.
v.   intr.
To eat greedily.

[Alteration of obsolete scaff.]
scoff'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Scoff

Scoff\ (?; 115), n. [OE. scof; akin to OFries. schof, OHG. scoph, Icel. skaup, and perh. to E. shove.]

1. Derision; ridicule; mockery; derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.

With scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious taunts. --Shak.

2. An object of scorn, mockery, or derision.

The scoff of withered age and beardless youth. --Cowper.

Scoff

Scoff\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scoffed (?; 115); p. pr. & vb. n. Scoffing.] [Cf. Dan. skuffe to deceive, delude, Icel. skopa to scoff, OD. schoppen. See Scoff, n.] To show insolent ridicule or mockery; to manifest contempt by derisive acts or language; -- often with at.

Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, And fools who came to scoff, remained to pray. --Goldsmith.

God's better gift they scoff at and refuse. --Cowper.

Syn: To sneer; mock; gibe; jeer. See Sneer.

Scoff

Scoff\, v. t. To treat or address with derision; to assail scornfully; to mock at.

To scoff religion is ridiculously proud and immodest. --Glanvill.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : scoff
Spanish: mofarse, burlarse,
German: spotten,
Japanese: あざける
More Translations »

scoff  (v.)
c.1380, earlier as a noun, "contemptuous ridicule" (c.1300), from a Scand. source, cf. O.N. skaup, skop "mockery," M.Dan. skof "jest, mockery;" perhaps from P.Gmc. *skub-, *skuf- (cf. O.E. scop "poet," O.H.G. scoph "fiction, sport, jest, derision;" see scold), from PIE *skeub- "to shove."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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