What does goofus mean?
Goofus is an informal, chiefly American noun for a foolish or silly person. Unlike the broader and more familiar goof, which can refer either to a foolish person or to a mistake, goofus points specifically to a person and often carries a teasing or mildly insulting tone. It is the sort of word that might appear in casual conversation, comedy, or an old-fashioned cartoon as a label for someone who has blundered or behaved absurdly. Goofus is less common than its shorter synonym, but its extra syllables give it a comically grand, mock-dignified air. The word is pluralized as goofuses. Although goofus can be an emphatic insult when deliberately used that way, context and tone often make it affectionate or humorous, especially among friends or family. For general modern usage, goof is usually the more natural choice.
nounAn informal word for a foolish or silly person, often one who has blundered or behaved absurdly.
- A foolish, silly, or absurd person.
"He may be a goofus, but he certainly makes every rehearsal entertaining."
"After forgetting the tickets, we spent an hour at the locked theater like a pair of goofuses."
"The comedy series portrays an endearing goofus who somehow survives every mistake."
The regular plural adds -es.
"The two goofuses mistook the prop room for the stage."
Goofus gives an ordinary goof the air of a solemn dignitary—the mock-formality is the joke.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does goofus come from?
Goofus developed in early-20th-century American English as a playful alteration of goof, an older word for a foolish person or a blunder. Its form may have been encouraged by the ending -us, which gives the otherwise familiar word a comically formal appearance. Goof, goofy, and goofball belong to the same family of English words built on goof.
How goofus is actually used
Informal and potentially insulting, though often teasing or affectionate depending on context and tone. It is less common than the shorter word goof and is uncommon in formal writing.
Easily confused with goofus
Goofus always denotes a foolish person, whereas goof can denote either a foolish person or a mistake.