Search Dictionary
Definition of gofer

gofer

/ˈɡoʊ.fɚ/
go · fer
Plural:gofers
JUMP TO:

gofer Lexical Profile

gofer Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person whose job involves running errands, fetching supplies, and performing various menial tasks for others, especially in an office or on a production set.

Example

"He started his career in the film industry working as a production gofer before eventually directing his own movies."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for gofer
Antonyms
View all antonyms for gofer

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse "gofer" (an employee who runs errands) with its homophone "gopher" (a burrowing rodent, though "gopher" is also occasionally used as a variant spelling for the errand runner).

• Rhymes for gofer

• Nearby Words

godspeed
godwit
goer
gofer
goggle
gogglebox
goggles

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-20th-century American English as a phonetic respelling of the phrase "go for," referring to a low-level assistant whose job is to "go for" coffee, supplies, or errands.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Gofer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/gofer
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.