scoff

1 of 3

noun

ˈskäf 

ˈskȯf

1

: an expression of scorn, derision, or contempt : gibe

2

: an object of scorn, mockery, or derision

scoff

2 of 3

verb (1)

scoffed; scoffing; scoffs

intransitive verb

: to show contempt by derisive acts or language

scoffed at the idea

transitive verb

: to treat or address with derision : mock

scoffer noun

scoff

3 of 3

verb (2)

scoffed; scoffing; scoffs

transitive verb

1

: to eat greedily

scoffed dinner

2

: seize

—often used with up

scoffed up the free gifts

intransitive verb

: to eat something greedily

Synonyms

Verb (2)

• bolt
• cram
• devour
• glut [archaic]
• gobble
• gorge
• gormandize
• gulp
• ingurgitate
• inhale
• raven
• scarf
• slop
• wolf

Choose the Right Synonym for scoff

scoff, jeer, gibe, fleer, sneer, flout mean to show one's contempt in derision or mockery.

scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision.

scoffed at their concerns

jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision.

the crowd jeered at the prisoners

gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision.

hooted and gibed at the umpire

fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively.

the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity

sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice.

sneered at anything romantic

flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed.

flouted the conventions of polite society

Examples of scoff in a Sentence

Verb (2)

scoffed dinner before running off to the basketball game

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Trump's own brand of cronyism scoffs at the ethical niceties that had constrained his predecessors of all ideological stripes. —Sami J. Karam, Foreign Affairs, 19 July 2017

His response was met with laughter and scoffs of disbelief from the audience. —Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2024

Verb

Still, Stovall notes a mathematician might scoff at basing a model on such a limited sample, in this case the 21 presidential elections held in the U.S. since World War II. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024

Rock on Classic rock fans may scoff at this list so far, but the nominating committee will throw them a few bones. —Troy Smith, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scof, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to obsolete Danish skof jest; akin to Old Frisian skof mockery

Verb (2)

alteration of dialect scaff to eat greedily

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

1846, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

scoff

1 of 3 noun

ˈskäf 

ˈskȯf

: an expression of scorn or mockery

scoff

2 of 3 verb

: jeer, ridicule

scoffer noun

scoff

3 of 3 verb

1

: to eat greedily

scoffed dinner

2

: snatch entry 1 sense 2

scoffed up the free gifts