Scoff Meaning
/skɒf/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.
nounAn object of scorn, mockery, or derision.
Sentence Examples
Outsiders tend to scoff at Esperanto as an idealistic waste of time.
I scoff at it.
You'll never convince them if you scoff at and insult them.
CEFR Practice Quiz
When he heard the unlikely story, he began to ____ loudly in disbelief.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He began to ____ at the idea, dismissing it as completely impractical and naive.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English scof, skof, probably of North Germanic origin. Compare Old Norse skaup, Old Danish skof, Old Frisian skof (“insult, shame”), and Old High German scoph.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"VVith ſcoffes and ſcornes, and contumelious taunts, / In open Market-place produc't they me, / To be a publique ſpectacle to all: / Here, ſayd they, is the Terror of the French, / The Scar-Crovv that affrights our Children ſo."
— 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene vi], page 100, column 1:
""I believe you've killed that constable in the exercise of his duty, sir; the man's dead;" said Lowe, sternly. / "Another gloss on my text; why invade me like house-breakers?" said Dangerfield, with a grim scoff."
— 1863, J[oseph] Sheridan Le Fanu, “The Wher-wolf”, in The House by the Church-yard. […], volume III, London: Tinsley, Brothers, […], →OCLC, page 200:
"There were sneers, and scoffs, and inuendoes of some; prophecies of failure in a hundred ways […]"
— 1852, The Dublin University Magazine, page 66:
"[T]he scoff of wither'd age and beardless youth […]"
— 1782, William Cowper, “Hope”, in Poems, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], →OCLC:
"Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, / And fools who came to scoff, remained to pray."
— 1770, [Oliver] Goldsmith, The Deserted Village, a Poem, London: […] W[illiam] Griffin, […], →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
When he heard the unlikely story, he began to ____ loudly in disbelief.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He began to ____ at the idea, dismissing it as completely impractical and naive.