spoof

1 of 2

verb

ˈspüf 

spoofed; spoofing; spoofs

transitive verb

1

: deceive, hoax

2

: to make good-natured fun of

spoof

2 of 2

noun

1

: hoax, deception

2

: a light humorous parody

spoofery

ˈspü-f(ə-)rē 

noun

spoofy

ˈspü-fē 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• burlesque
• caricature
• do
• imitate
• mimic
• mock
• parody
• send up
• travesty

Noun

• burlesque
• caricature
• parody
• put-on
• rib
• send-up
• takeoff
• travesty

Examples of spoof in a Sentence

Verb

spoofed overly competitive parents in a mockumentary about tryouts for a national T-ball team

the newspaper was spoofed by a supposedly plausible claim of a UFO encounter

Noun

many viewers thought that the spoof of a television newscast was the real thing

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The other account shown in the Instagram post's screenshot also is a parody account, this one spoofing the name of the Philadelphia landscaping business that was the unintended site of a 2020 Trump news conference. —Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024

Rachel Dratch even spoofed her routine on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this week. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2024

Noun

The Hollywood Reporter’s original review is below: A great joke is recycled to very funny effect at the start of this engaging zombie movie spoof. —Ray Bennett, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Sep. 2024

Since last week’s countdown spoof Linkin Park has fans waiting on edge for their live event slated for this Thursday, September 5th. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Spoof, a hoaxing game invented by Arthur Roberts †1933 English comedian

First Known Use

Verb

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spoof

verb

ˈspüf

: to make good-natured fun of

spoof noun