How to pronounce goof
Say it like GOOF. Goof is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce goof. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GOOF
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Goof pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GOOFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of goof
American and British speakers say goof in essentially the same way: /ɡuf/ in the US and /ɡuːf/ in the UK.
British respelling: GOOF.
What does goof mean?
- To make a mistake.“It's my fault. I goofed.”
- To engage in mischief.“We were just goofing by painting the neighbor's cat green.”
- A mistake or error.“I made a goof in that last calculation.”
- An error made during production which finds its way into the final release.
- A foolish and/or silly person; a goofball.“Your little brother is a total goof.”
Where does goof come from?
Alternatively, perhaps from Middle French goffe (“awkward; stupid”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with goof
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of goof.
Questions about saying goof
How do you pronounce goof?
Say GOOF. The American pronunciation is /ɡuf/. In British English it is /ɡuːf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in goof?
Goof is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: GOOF.
Do Americans and Brits say goof the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɡuf/ and the British form is /ɡuːf/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.