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What is the difference between scoff and jeer?

scoff | jeer |

Jeer is a synonym of scoff.



As nouns the difference between scoff and jeer

is that scoff is derision; ridicule; a derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach while jeer is a railing remark or reflection; a scoff; a taunt; a biting jest; a flout; a jibe; mockery.

As verbs the difference between scoff and jeer

is that scoff is to jeer; laugh at with contempt and derision while jeer is to utter sarcastic or mocking comments; to speak with mockery or derision; to use taunting language.

scoff

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) scof/skof, of Scandinavian origin. Compare (etyl) skaup, Danish skuffelse(noun)/skuffe(verb) and Old High German scoph.

Noun

(en noun)
  • Derision; ridicule; a derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.
  • * Shakespeare
    • With scoffs , and scorns, and contumelious taunts.
  • * 1852 , The Dublin University Magazine (page 66)
    • There were sneers, and scoffs , and inuendoes of some; prophecies of failure in a hundred ways
  • An object of scorn, mockery, or derision.
  • * Cowper
    • The scoff of withered age and beardless youth.
    Synonyms
    * derision, ridicule * See also

    Verb

  • To jeer; laugh at with contempt and derision.
  • * Goldsmith
    • Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, / And fools who came to scoff , remained to pray.
    Synonyms
    * contemn, deride, sneer

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (South Africa) Food.

    • Verb

  • (British) To eat food quickly.
  • (South Africa) To eat.
    • Synonyms
    * (eat quickly) (l), (l) (US)

    See also

    * scuff

    jeer

    English

    Etymology 1

    Perhaps a corruption of ).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A railing remark or reflection; a scoff; a taunt; a biting jest; a flout; a jibe; mockery.
  • * 1711 , , The Fable of Midas, in The Works of Jonathan Swift , D.D., Vol XII, Sir Walter Scott, ed., Edinburgh: Archibald Constable and Co., 1824, pages 302-5,
    • Midas, exposed to all their jeers , Had lost his art, and kept his ears.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To utter sarcastic or mocking comments; to speak with mockery or derision; to use taunting language.
  • * ,
    • But when he saw her toy and gibe and jeer .
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=October 1 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=At the end of a frantic first 45 minutes, there was still time for Charlie Adam to strike the bar from 20 yards before referee Atkinson departed to a deafening chorus of jeering from Everton's fans.}}
  • (archaic) To mock; treat with mockery; to taunt; to flout.
  • * Ben Jonson
    • And if we cannot jeer' them, we ' jeer ourselves.
    Synonyms
    * (to utter sarcastic remarks) scoff, sneer * (to treat with scoffs) deride, flout, gibe, mock, ridicule

    Etymology 2

    Compare (gear).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (nautical) A gear; a tackle.
  • (nautical, in the plural) An assemblage or combination of tackles, for hoisting or lowering the yards of a ship.
  • *
    • Derived terms
    * jeer capstan