# spoof

/ˈspuf/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spoof
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a parody

noun · CEFR B2

a funny book, film, or play that copies the style of something else to make fun of it.

For teachers: a lighthearted parody or satirical imitation of a specific genre, work, or style.

- The movie is a hilarious spoof of classic spy films like James Bond.
- The director's latest project is a sharp spoof of contemporary horror tropes, subverting audience expectations at every turn.

### 2. a hoax or trick

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a trick or a joke that is meant to deceive people.

For teachers: a hoax, deception, or practical joke intended to mislead.

- The news story about the flying penguins turned out to be an April Fool's spoof.
- What initially appeared to be a legitimate scientific discovery was later revealed as an elaborate spoof designed to highlight the lack of peer review.

### 3. to imitate humorously

verb · CEFR B2

to copy the style of someone or something in a funny way.

For teachers: to satirize or mimic something in a humorous, non-malicious manner.

- The comedian loves to spoof famous politicians during his show.
- The sketch show frequently spoofs high-budget advertising campaigns, using low-cost props to achieve a comic effect.

### 4. to falsify digital data

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to trick a computer or person by sending fake information, like a fake email address.

For teachers: to falsify data or identities, such as IP addresses or caller IDs, typically for the purpose of gaining unauthorised access or scamming.

- Scammers often spoof phone numbers to make it look like a local call.
- The attackers managed to spoof the server's identity, allowing them to intercept sensitive traffic without triggering any security alerts.

Usage: Often used in the context of 'IP spoofing' or 'email spoofing'.

### 5. fake or imitation

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

describing something that is not real and is meant to trick or mock.

For teachers: functioning as a hoax or a parody; not genuine.

- He created a spoof website that looked exactly like the official bank page.
- The activists distributed spoof newspapers featuring headlines about radical environmental policy changes to provoke public debate.

## Examples

- The movie is a funny spoof of classic spy films.
- The comedian gained fame for his clever spoof of the nightly news, where he mocked the anchors' serious tones.
- While the film began as a lighthearted spoof of the horror genre, it eventually evolved into a sophisticated critique of the very tropes it initially sought to lampoon.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.