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to goof

to goof

15 5.6
To make a silly or careless mistake
  • verb
  • /ɡuːf/
  • Informal
: meter la pata
  • I really goofed when I forgot to submit my report on time.
  • really goofed
  • just goofed
  • goofed again

Examples

Synonyms

to screw up
vsto goof
  • Informal
850 6.3

To make a mistake that ruins what you are doing

is a lighter silly error not necessarily ruining results
to fuck up
vsto goof
  • Offensive
690 9.9

To make a serious mistake that ruins something

is a milder silly mistake rather than a vulgar serious ruin
to slip
vsto goof
131 3.0

To forget something by accident

is sillier and more playful than an accidental error
to fuck it up
vsto goof
  • Offensive
60 9.9

To do something badly and ruin how it turns out

is a lighter careless error not a complete ruin
to slip up
vsto goof
  • Informal
44 4.1

To make a small careless mistake

is sillier and less formal than this neutral mistake
to drop the ball
vsto goof
  • Informal
38 6.1

Fail to do something you are responsible for

is a small silly slip rather than a responsibility failure
to trip up
vsto goof
22 4.9

Make a mistake or cause someone else to make one

is a self-made silly mistake rather than being caused by others
to foul up
vsto goof
  • Informal
18 6.4

To make a mistake that ruins something because you are careless

is a smaller silly mistake rather than ruining outcomes
to fumble
vsto goof
15 3.5

To do something clumsily and make a mistake

is a simple careless mistake rather than clumsy handling
to muck up
vsto goof
  • Informal
14 7.6

To ruin something by making mistakes or doing it badly

is a minor silly mistake, not a spoiled outcome
to botch up
vsto goof
  • Informal
4 6.7

Do a job badly and make a mess of it

is a light silly error rather than a complete ruination
to blunder
vsto goof
3 4.4

To make a careless mistake by acting or speaking without thinking

is typically a milder silly error rather than poor judgment
to make a blunder
vsto goof
3 4.2

Do something that is a serious and embarrassing mistake

is a milder silly error rather than a serious one
to fluff
vsto goof
  • Informal
2 5.4

To make a mistake especially by forgetting words on stage

is a lighter silly error rather than a full mess
to make a boo-boo
vsto goof
  • Baby Talk
1 8.4

To do something wrong by accident in a small, silly way

is a careless but not playful mistake
to booger up
vsto goof
  • Informal
1 9.9

To ruin something by a careless mistake

is a minor silly mistake rather than serious spoilage
to booboo
vsto goof
  • Informal
1 8.3

To make a small mistake in a playful or informal way

is similar but more neutral and not childish
to make an oopsy
vsto goof
  • Informal
8.2

To do something small and silly by accident

is a careless mistake without the playful tone
to drop a bollock
vsto goof
  • Offensive
9.9

To make a serious, embarrassing mistake by being careless

is less severe and more playful than this serious error
to misfuck
vsto goof
  • Offensive
9.9

To ruin something completely by making serious mistakes

is a minor silly mistake, not a severe vulgar spoil

Antonyms

542 1.0

To make something right by fixing a mistake

Compounds

goof-off
  • Informal
3 8.6

A person who avoids work and wastes time

How Serious

to botch
38 6.0
to mess up
  • Informal
755 2.8
blunder
45 3.0
to goof
  • Informal
15 5.6
to slip up
  • Informal
44 4.1

Surface Forms

goof infinitive
goofed past
goofed past participle
goofing present participle
goofs third person singular

Etymology

Goof became a verb that means to make a careless or silly 'mistake'. So when you say you goofed, you are admitting you made a small, foolish error.