goof off

[goof-awf, -of] / ˈgufˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

VERB

avoid work

Synonyms

WEAK

bum around coast diddle dog it doodle drag one's feet featherbed fiddle around fluff off fool around hang around hang out horse around lollygag mess around monkey around putz around screw off shirk slack take it easy

NOUN

inactive person

Synonyms

STRONG

couch potato do-nothing fainéant layabout lazybones loafer malingerer quitter shirker slacker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For me, I felt like I needed to schedule time to goof off.

From Salon • May 4, 2023

“The temptation is to goof off and not struggle.”

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2022

“You play with dreams and goof off in the yard and pretend and all that stuff,” Faneca said.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 30, 2021

My husband is acting like my refusal to goof off with him means I don’t love or care about him.

From Washington Post • Jun. 26, 2021

I was still supposed to keep up on my schoolwork, though, so it’s not like I totally got to goof off.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio