What does choof mean?
Choof is an informal British, Australian, and New Zealand term used mainly as a verb meaning to leave or depart, almost always in the cheerful phrase 'choof off' — 'Right, I'm choofing off now.' It carries a light-hearted, breezy tone, suggesting an unhurried or casual departure rather than a brusque exit. The word also survives as a noun describing a puff of smoke or vapour, echoing its likely roots in the chugging sounds of steam-era machinery, when engines were said to choof along with rhythmic puffs of steam. Because it is colloquial rather than formal, choof suits conversation, humour, and nostalgic writing about trains more than formal prose. It should not be confused with the similarly spelled 'chuff', which in British English means pleased or delighted. For anyone wanting a playful way to signal they're heading off, choof off remains a charming choice.
(informal, chiefly British/Australian/NZ) To leave or depart, especially in the phrase 'choof off'.
"Come on, let's choof off before it starts raining."
(informal) A puff of smoke or vapour.
"The engine gave a mighty choof of steam."
Rarely pluralised; the noun sense is uncommon outside descriptions of engine smoke.
"Little choofs of steam escaped from the kettle."
Next time you want to leave in style, don't just 'head off' — choof off, like a little steam train puffing away down the line.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of choof
Choof appears to have arisen as an imitative or onomatopoeic word, evoking the rhythmic puffing of steam engines and similar machinery, which also explains its use as a noun for a puff of smoke. From that sound-imitating core it developed into colloquial slang for departing — to 'choof off' being likened to a train pulling away. It is chiefly attested in British, Australian, and New Zealand English, where it remains a familiar if somewhat dated informalism. Its exact date of first attestation is uncertain, so no precise origin year can be stated confidently.
How choof is actually used
Informal to colloquial register, most at home in British, Australian and New Zealand speech. Almost always heard in the fixed phrase 'choof off'; using it elsewhere can sound quaint or dated.
Easily confused with choof
'Chuff' means to be pleased (British) or refers to a railway engine's exhaust beats, whereas 'choof' is chiefly slang for leaving or for a puff of smoke.