Word
goofy
US/ˈɡufi/
UK/ɡˈuːfi/
Definitions
01silly or funny
adj. silly, funny, or a bit strange in a way that makes people smile.
adj. characterised by harmless silliness, eccentricity, or a lack of seriousness.
“He wore a goofy hat with ears to the party to make the kids laugh.”
“The comedian's goofy persona masked a sharp wit, allowing him to deliver biting social commentary under the guise of harmless slapstick.”
Informal
Usage
Often used to describe facial expressions, clothing, or lighthearted behaviour.
02board sports stance
adj. riding a skateboard, surfboard, or snowboard with your right foot at the front.
adj. referring to a stance in board sports where the rider leads with the right foot rather than the more common left foot.
“I realized I was a goofy rider the first time I tried to stand on a skateboard.”
“While most professionals ride regular, several iconic skaters are famous for their goofy stance, which can influence how they approach certain park features.”
Technical
Usage
Almost exclusively used in the context of skateboarding, snowboarding, or surfing.
Antonyms
03a silly person
n. a person who acts in a silly or clumsy way.
n. an individual who behaves in a silly, awkward, or eccentric manner.
“Stop being such a goofy and help me carry these boxes.”
“Though he was a brilliant engineer, his colleagues affectionately regarded him as a bit of a goofy due to his constant practical jokes.”
Informal · American English
Teaching tip
In modern English, 'goofball' or 'goof' is more common as a noun than 'goofy'.
Synonyms
Etymology
From goof + -y.
From the way the Disney character Goofy was depicted surfing in 1937's Hawaiian Holiday, with right foot forward.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/goofy