scoff
/skɔf/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- An expression of scornful derision or mockery: A scoff is a remark or sound that shows contempt, disbelief, or ridicule.
- (Slang) Food; a meal: In informal contexts, "scoff" can refer to food.
Verb:
- To speak about or treat something with contemptuous mockery or derision: To scoff is to express scornful disbelief or disrespect, often verbally.
- To eat something quickly and greedily: In informal slang, to scoff means to eat food rapidly.
Usage Examples
Noun (derision):
- He ignored the scoffs of his critics and continued his work.
- Her suggestion was met with scoffs from the experienced team.
Noun (slang: food):
- I'm starving; let's get some scoff.
- There's plenty of scoff in the kitchen if you're hungry.
Verb (to mock):
- They scoffed at the idea that the project could be finished on time.
- She scoffed when she heard the outlandish claim.
Verb (slang: to eat):
- He scoffed the entire pizza before anyone else got a slice.
- The kids scoffed their sandwiches and ran outside to play.
Advanced Usage
- "to be the scoff of": to be an object of widespread mockery or derision.
- After the failed product launch, the company became the scoff of the industry.
Variants and Related Words
Scoffer (noun): A person who scoffs or mocks.
- The prophet was surrounded by scoffers who did not believe his warnings.
Scoffing (noun/gerund): The act of expressing scorn.
- His constant scoffing made it difficult to have a serious conversation.
Scoffingly (adverb): In a scoffing manner.
- "Is that your best plan?" she asked scoffingly.
Synonyms
- Mock: To tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner.
- Jeer: To make rude and mocking remarks, typically in a loud voice.
- Fleer (archaic/literary): To laugh or grimace in a coarse or scornful way.
- Flout: To openly disregard (a rule, law, or convention), which relates to the dismissive attitude inherent in scoffing.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
- Scoff at: This is the standard construction for the verb meaning "to mock."
- It's easy to scoff at new ideas before trying them.
Related Idioms
- "To scoff at danger": To show contempt for a risky situation, acting as if it is not serious.
- The veteran soldier seemed to scoff at danger, walking calmly through the training exercise.
Noun
- showing your contempt by derision
Verb
- treat with contemptuous disregard
- flout the rules
- laugh at with contempt and derision
- The crowd jeered at the speaker