scoff
verb · noun
Simple meaning
A derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
skawfIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈskɔf
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
transitive
To mock; to treat with scorn.
intransitive
To jeer; to laugh with contempt and derision.
noun
A derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.
An object of scorn, mockery, or derision.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- C2 · Proficient (estimated)
- Frequency
- Rare
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: To jeer; to laugh with contempt and derision.
Used this way, scoff is a reasonably familiar word with a faintly unfavourable edge. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Slightly negative
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Moderate
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Critical or judgemental
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.