spoofing
spoofing — noun
1. a movie, TV programme, or written work that takes the characteristics of an exis
a movie, TV programme, or written work that takes the characteristics of an existing creation and offers them in an amusing, overstated fashion; also, the general activity of producing such imitations
The students put on a spoofing of a popular reality TV show that had everyone laughing.
spoofing + of + [TV show]
Mira's YouTube channel is known for its clever spoofing of famous movie scenes with household objects.
uncountable sense: the activity
The musical was a hilarious spoofing of 1980s action films, complete with slow-motion fights and cheesy one-liners.
What started as a simple spoofing of a cooking show turned into a series with millions of viewers.
- original
a creative work that is not based on imitating another work
文法句型
spoofing + of + [original work]
用法筆記
When used as a countable noun, spoofing refers to a specific film, show, or piece of writing. As an uncountable noun, it refers to the general activity of creating humorous copies.
常見錯誤
2. the act of making fun of someone by copying the way they look, speak, or behave,
the act of making fun of someone by copying the way they look, speak, or behave, often in a way that is not kind
The children's cruel spoofing of the new boy's accent made him feel very unwelcome.
collocation: cruel spoofing
Aarav tried to ignore his classmates' spoofing of his unusual way of walking.
Greta felt hurt when she heard the spoofing of her voice being played behind her back.
The comedian's spoofing of the politician's hand gestures made the whole audience laugh.
- mockery
stronger negative tone; implies deliberate cruelty
- imitation
neutral; does not carry the mocking tone of 'spoofing'
- caricature
exaggerates particular features, often as a drawing or performance
文法句型
spoofing + of + [person]
用法筆記
This sense has a more negative or unkind tone than sense 1. The focus is on mocking a real person rather than an artistic work.
3. the practice of manipulating electronic communications such as emails, phone cal
the practice of manipulating electronic communications such as emails, phone calls, or website addresses so that they seem to originate from a trusted or different source, usually with the aim of tricking people or committing fraud
The bank warned customers about a rise in email spoofing that tries to steal account passwords.
collocation: email spoofing
Phone spoofing showed the school's number on caller ID, tricking Mrs. Chen into giving her credit card details.
collocation: phone spoofing
An IP spoofing attack redirected the hospital's patient data to a criminal server before Jia-Li detected it.
Noor received a suspicious text message that used spoofing to look like it came from the postal service.
- forgery
wider meaning; can apply to physical documents, not just electronic
- phishing
a type of email spoofing specifically aimed at stealing personal information
- impersonation
pretending to be someone else, not limited to technology
文法句型
[type of communication] + spoofing
用法筆記
This is the most common modern use of the word. It is often combined with a type of communication (email spoofing, caller ID spoofing, IP spoofing) to name a specific technique.
常見錯誤
spoofing — verb
- spoofingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- spoofings3rd person singular
- spoofinging-ing form
- spoofingedpast simple
1. to get someone to accept a false idea or story as real, often for fun or to gain
to get someone to accept a false idea or story as real, often for fun or to gain some benefit
Sirin spoofed her younger brother into thinking that the house was haunted by making strange noises from the attic.
pattern: spoof + [person] + into + [gerund]
The caller spoofed the company's technical support number to get people to share their login details.
transitive: spoof + [phone number]
Adisa spoofed his classmates on April Fools' Day by replacing their coffee with a similar-tasting herbal tea.
The website spoofed a well-known online store and collected credit card numbers from hundreds of shoppers.
- tell the truth
to be honest with someone
文法句型
spoof + [person]
用法筆記
When the goal is criminal fraud (as in computing contexts), the meaning overlaps with noun sense 3. When the goal is a harmless joke, the tone is light and playful.
常見錯誤
2. to copy a film, TV show, person, or style in a funny way that exaggerates its ma
to copy a film, TV show, person, or style in a funny way that exaggerates its main features, usually without intending to be cruel
The late-night show regularly spoofs politicians by having an actor repeat their most famous phrases in a silly voice.
pattern: spoof + [person] + by + [gerund phrase]
Aylin's video spoofs popular yoga videos by doing all the poses in a crowded bus.
The sketch show spoofed the way tech company owners present new gadgets with dramatic music and confident but unclear promises.
Ezra spoofed the school principal's morning announcements for the end-of-year talent show.
文法句型
spoof + [film/show/person/style]
用法筆記
Unlike noun sense 2 (MOCKING IMITATION), this verb sense is usually light-hearted and good-natured. The intention is to entertain, not to hurt.