scoff

1
[ skawf, skof ]
See synonyms for: scoffscoffingscoffer on Thesaurus.com

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.

verb (used with object)
  1. to mock at; deride.

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

  2. an object of mockery or derision.

Origin of scoff

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English scof; origin uncertain, but compare Old Norse skopa “to scorn”

synonym study For scoff

1. 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.

Other words for scoff

Opposites for scoff

Other words from scoff

  • scoff·er, noun
  • scoff·ing·ly, adverb

Words Nearby scoff

Other definitions for scoff (2 of 2)

scoff2
[ skawf, skof ]

verb (used with or without object)
  1. to eat voraciously.

noun
  1. food; grub.

Origin of scoff

2
First recorded in 1855–60; earlier scaff; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use scoff in a sentence

  • The principles of liberty were the scoff of every grinning courtier, and the Anathema Maranatha of every fawning dean.

    English: Composition and Literature | W. F. (William Franklin) Webster
  • There was nothing either false or forced about the little exclamation he made, half scoff, half laugh.

  • They laugh at our music, they scoff at our arts and twist them into obscene mockeries.

    The Link | Alan Edward Nourse
  • I had almost said "fools who came to scoff remained to pray!"

    Mexico | Charles Reginald Enock
  • Hence it needs not surprise that they are not very devout worshippers; it is a great wonder they do not openly scoff.

British Dictionary definitions for scoff (1 of 2)

scoff1

/ (skɒf) /


verb
  1. (intr often foll by at) to speak contemptuously (about); express derision (for); mock

  2. (tr) obsolete to regard with derision

noun
  1. an expression of derision

  2. an object of derision

Origin of scoff

1
C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Old Frisian skof mockery, Danish skof, skuf jest

Derived forms of scoff

  • scoffer, noun
  • scoffing, adjective
  • scoffingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for scoff (2 of 2)

scoff2

/ (skɒf) informal, mainly British /


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

noun
  1. food or rations

Origin of scoff

2
C19: variant of scaff food; related to Afrikaans, Dutch schoft quarter of the day, one of the four daily meals

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012