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Definition of doofus

doofus

/ˈduː.fəs/
doo · fus
Plural:doofuses
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doofus Lexical Profile

doofus Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A foolish, inept, or socially awkward person (used as a mild or playful term of disparagement).

Example

"I felt like a complete doofus when I realized I had locked my keys inside the car."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for doofus

• Nearby Words

doodler
doodoo
doody
doofus
doohickey
dookie
doom

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-20th-century American slang, likely as a playful alteration of 'goofus' blended with Scottish or Yiddish 'doof' (meaning dull, hollow, or foolish).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Doofus. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/doofus
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