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goof

Pronunciation: /ɡuːf/

The English word “goof” has 6 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. A mistake or error.
  2. An error made during production which finds its way into the final release.
  3. A foolish and/or silly person; a goofball.
  4. A rapist.

verb

  1. To make a mistake.
  2. To engage in mischief.

Etymology

Perhaps from dialectal English goff (“foolish clown”), from earlier goffe, in which case further etymology is uncertain. Perhaps from Middle English goffen (“to speak in a frivolous manner”), possibly from Old English gaf, ġegaf (“base; wanton; lewd”, adjective), ġegaf (“buffoonery; scurrility”, noun), gaffetung, golfettung (“buffoonery; mockery”). Compare English dialectal gauffin (“lightheaded;…

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