Wordul · all words

noun · 1 syllable · /spuːf/

SPOOF

What does "SPOOF" mean?

A humorous imitation that mocks something by exaggerating it.

Meanings

  1. A parody that imitates a work or genre for comic effect. The film was a broad spoof of spy thrillers.
  2. To imitate something mockingly; to parody. The sketch spoofed every cliche of cooking shows.
  3. To deceive a system by faking data, such as an identity or address. Scammers spoof a bank's number so the call looks legitimate. technical

Did you know?

  • 'Spoof' isn't an ancient word at all - it comes from a hoaxing parlour game popularized by the comedian Arthur Roberts, first recorded in 1884, and it later came to mean any parody or fake.

Word origin

From 'Spoof', the name of a hoaxing game popularized by English comedian Arthur Roberts, first recorded in 1884; the word later broadened to mean any parody or deception.

Remember it

SPOOF has two 'o's staring at you like wide fake eyes - the look of something pretending to be real.

A little poem

The mask was loud, the wink was clear-
a spoof tells truth by mocking what we fear.

couplet

Wordplay

  • I got a call that was a spoof of my bank - so I parodied a customer who actually had money.

What it teaches

A good spoof loves what it mocks; you can only exaggerate a thing you understand.

Quick facts

What does SPOOF mean?

A humorous imitation that mocks something by exaggerating it.

Is SPOOF a valid word?

Yes — SPOOF is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.

How many letters is SPOOF?

SPOOF has 5 letters and 1 syllable.

Where does SPOOF come from?

From 'Spoof', the name of a hoaxing game popularized by English comedian Arthur Roberts, first recorded in 1884; the word later broadened to mean any parody or deception.

What can SPOOF teach us?

A good spoof loves what it mocks; you can only exaggerate a thing you understand.

How players do

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