SCOFF
What does "SCOFF" mean?
To speak about something with scorn or mockery; to ridicule.
Meanings
- To express derision or contempt, often with 'at'. Critics scoffed at the idea, then it changed the industry.
- An expression of scorn or mockery. He met every suggestion with a scoff and a shrug.
- To eat something quickly and greedily. The kids scoffed the whole tray of biscuits before tea. informal
Word origin
From Middle English 'scof' ('mockery, jeering'), probably of Scandinavian origin; the 'eat greedily' sense is a separate British slang word, possibly related to 'scaff' meaning food.
Remember it
SCOFF has a double F like a scornful 'pffft' - the sound of brushing an idea aside.
A little poem
They scoffed at the man who counted the stars-
then named a crater after his scars.
couplet
Wordplay
- I told my friend I could eat a whole pizza and laugh at his doubt at the same time. He said: so you'll scoff while you scoff.
What it teaches
Today's scoff is tomorrow's footnote; ridicule ages worse than the idea it mocks.
Quick facts
What does SCOFF mean?
To speak about something with scorn or mockery; to ridicule.
Is SCOFF a valid word?
Yes — SCOFF is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is SCOFF?
SCOFF has 5 letters and 1 syllable.
Where does SCOFF come from?
From Middle English 'scof' ('mockery, jeering'), probably of Scandinavian origin; the 'eat greedily' sense is a separate British slang word, possibly related to 'scaff' meaning food.
What can SCOFF teach us?
Today's scoff is tomorrow's footnote; ridicule ages worse than the idea it mocks.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.