scoff

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "scoff" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb meaning to eat or drink something quickly or in large amounts. For example, "She scoffed the entire pizza in under 10 minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We may scoff, but when you think about it Walsh could use his newly rediscovered spare time assembling a taskforce to solve all the world's problems.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Meanwhile, someone is, like me, about to scoff a lamington.

The Guardian

Other journalists may scoff at me for this – it's standard practice to push sources to go on the record.

The Guardian - Opinion

Scoff you may, but no longer does Eidur Gudjohnsen carry the burden of dragging his side kicking and screaming across Europe, through defeat after defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

4 Eat chocolate If you need a momentary boost, scoff sugar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Here are three, possibly four, of them: Blairites will scoff and swear at that subheading.

The Guardian - Opinion

$8 Purists would scoff at calling the Paesano – the signature item at chef Peter McAndrews's new-school Italian sandwich shop of the same name – a cheesesteak.

The Guardian - Travel

You learn to build the smoker and produce the right kind of smoke, as well as how to brine and cure fish and meat - then you get to scoff it.

The Guardian - Travel

The report suggests this could kick off with a new body to improve the reliability and availability of statistics (WorldStat), and another (more ambitiously) to deal with abuse of tax systems.Sceptics may scoff that the world has too many international outfits already (for example, decades after many would say the end of colonialism, various UN bodies dedicated to its abolition keep plugging away).

The Economist

He has even said he could work with Labour (who scoff at the idea).The big question is whether Mr Ahern would talk to Sinn Fein, the IRA's political wing.

The Economist

He gladly provided it, over-running Irbil in the process and forcing INC activists and the CIA to flee the country or face his wrath.Both Kurdish factions now scoff at the thought of any non-Kurdish opposition returning to the area.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scoff" when you want to convey a sense of derision or disbelief alongside the action of consuming something quickly. It adds a layer of dismissive attitude to the act.

Common error

Avoid using "scoff" solely to describe eating quickly without the intended implication of ridicule or disbelief. It is better to select a different word when the intention is neutral quick eating, such as "eat quickly" or "devour".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scoff" is as a verb, used to describe the action of eating something quickly and greedily or to express contempt or ridicule. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts, confirming its flexibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Opinion

12%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "scoff" functions primarily as a verb, conveying the act of eating quickly or expressing contempt. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. When considering related phrases, "mock" and "deride" capture the sense of ridicule, while "guzzle" and "devour" focus on rapid consumption. Remember to use "scoff" carefully to ensure you convey the intended nuance of derision or disbelief. It is very important not to overuse "scoff" when other words may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mock

Replaces "scoff" to emphasize ridicule and contempt.

scorn

Highlights a feeling of contempt or disdain.

deride

Indicates a stronger, more formal sense of ridicule than "scoff".

jeer at

Implies a loud, mocking expression of contempt.

guzzle

Focuses on the act of consuming something quickly and eagerly.

devour

Implies eating something rapidly and with great hunger.

gulp down

Focuses on drinking something quickly in large amounts.

dismiss

Highlights the rejection of an idea or suggestion as unworthy of consideration.

reject

Emphasizes a refusal to accept or consider something.

disbelieve

Emphasizes a lack of faith or acceptance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "scoff" in a sentence?

"Scoff" can be used to indicate eating something quickly or to express derision or disbelief. For example, "He "scoffed" at the suggestion" or "She "scoffed" down the sandwich in seconds."

What's the difference between "scoff" and "eat quickly"?

While both describe fast consumption, "scoff" often carries a connotation of greediness or contempt. "Eat quickly" is a more neutral description of the speed of eating, whereas "scoff" can imply that the person is eating impolitely or dismissively.

What are some synonyms for "scoff" when it means to ridicule?

If you want to express ridicule, you can use alternatives to "scoff" such as "mock", "deride", or "jeer at". These words emphasize the act of ridiculing or expressing contempt.

Is "scoff" appropriate for formal writing?

While "scoff" isn't strictly informal, it is more commonly found in everyday speech and news articles. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "disregard" or "reject" when expressing disbelief, and more neutral terms like "eat quickly" in describing rapid consumption.