scoff

¹

[skawf, skof]

verb (used without object)

1. to speak derisively; mock; jeer (often followed byat ).

   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 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

scoff

²

/ skɒf /

verb

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

noun

1. food or rations

Other Word Forms

• scoffer noun
• scoffingly adverb
• scoffing adjective

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

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

Origin of scoff²

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

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

“And that is in order of quality,” he scoffs.

From Salon

She scoffs at the question but then admits she will likely wear an outfit by Emily Meyer, a purveyor of luxe bespoke suits.

From Los Angeles Times

The notion that veteran homelessness is only half what it was thought to be elicited scoffs from Bass, Murray and those close to the ground like advocate Reynolds.

From Los Angeles Times

“You know they’re never going to let that happen, right?” she scoffed, and by “they” she meant the British Royal family.

From Salon

Many of us are lucky if we find time to scoff down some cereal before work.

From BBC

Related Words

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