scoff
scoff¹
Definition
scoff (skäf, skôf)
noun
- an expression of mocking contempt, scorn, or derision; jeer
- an object of mocking contempt, scorn, etc.
Etymology: ME scof, prob. < Scand: akin to OE scop, singer, OHG skof, poem, ridicule: for IE base see shove
transitive verb
to mock at or deride
intransitive verb
to show mocking contempt, scorn, or derision, esp. by language; jeer
scoff′er noun
scoff′·ingly adverb
scoff²
Definition
scoff (skäf, skôf)
noun
Chiefly Brit., Slang food or rations
Etymology: < dial. scaff < ?
transitive verb, intransitive verb
- to eat or devour
- to plunder or seize
scoff
Synonyms
scoff
Usage Examples
Followed by a transitive particle
- down: We happily scoff down mayonnaise, take a deep breath of sea air or light candles yet all of these things produce free nanoparticles.
Object
- lot: This did not, however, put her off scoffing the lot.
- cake: Good for strolling, shopping and scoffing cream cakes at the legendary Betty's Tea Shop.
- load: Left unattended, a german guest who was hungry during the night came down and scoffed a load of the cake!
- food: On the first day it rained, so we went to watch John's other favorite pastime - scoffing food in the local cafe.
- banana: I decided that this was a good time to delve into my bum bag and scoff a banana.
- breakfast: I had to sit and watch all these guys scoff huge greasy breakfasts washed down with gigantic mugs of sweet tea.
Preposition: at
- notion: There are those who would scoff at the notion of research within the last century being true genealogy.
- suggestion: The locals scoffed at the suggestion of a serious attack.
- idea: For many years a number of clever people on both sides of the Atlantic have scoffed at the idea of a special relationship.
- claim: Additionally, he scoffed at claims the fathers ' concern was about bias on the part of the FC and himself.
- people: It made him laugh, and he scoffed at the people and called them cowards and old women.
- thing: It was us scoffing at things, which was our way - but scoffing just keeps you ignored, as we discovered!
Modifying Another Word
- all: Let the skeptics scoff all they want to, but you now know.
- always: But your contributor always scoffs at the idea of utility.
- n't: Do n't scoff at the back, it's true.
- not: Let us not scoff at the idea of more than one eternal body, even a series of bodies.
- just: It was us scoffing at things, which was our way - but scoffing just keeps you ignored, as we discovered!
- still: He was a bit taken by surprise at the presentation, collecting his prize whilst still scoffing a chocolate bar.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- down: OK meal was soon scoffed down with a very palatable house red.
