Goofy

/ˈɡuːfi/

adjectiveBeginner📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

1

Silly or foolish in a playful or endearing way.

/ˈɡuːfi/

adjectivepositiveBeginner
General

Silly or foolish in a likable way

The puppy was being goofy, chasing its tail in circles.

💡 Simply: When someone is being silly and fun, like when you're making jokes and being playful!

👶 For kids: When someone is being silly and funny, like a clown!

More Examples

2

She had a goofy grin on her face after winning the game.

3

He always makes goofy comments that make everyone laugh.

How It's Used

General Conversation

"He's always making goofy jokes."

Informal Writing

"That was a goofy mistake to make!"

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

to goof around

To spend time in a playful, silly, or idle manner.

"The kids were goofing around in the park all afternoon."

goofball

A silly or eccentric person.

"He's such a goofball, always making us laugh."

Likely derived from the name of the Disney cartoon character Goofy, known for his clumsy and silly nature. The word's association with foolish behavior began in the early 20th century.

The term gained popularity in the mid-20th century, coinciding with the rise of Disney's Goofy.

Memory tip

Think of the Disney character Goofy; his actions are often silly, hence the meaning.

Word Origin

LanguageEnglish
Original meaning

"Derived from the character name 'Goofy', which represents foolishness, clumsiness, and silliness."

goofy smilegoofy gringoofy jokegoofy antics

Common misspellings

goffygoophy

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written