boffin
Plural: boffins
Noun
- A person engaged in scientific or technical research; a scientific expert.
- (British slang) a scientist or technician engaged in military research
- An engineer or scientist, especially one engaged in technological or military research.
- A person with specialized knowledge or skills, especially one who is socially awkward.
- A person with specialized knowledge or skills, especially one who is socially awkward.
- an intellectual; a smart person.
Examples
- Only a true BOFFIN of linguistics could spot all the obscure two-letter words.
Origin / Etymology
Origin unknown; a number of possible etymologies have been suggested, but no conclusive evidence exists.
One strong theory conjectures a connection from the "Mr. Boffins" of English novels, such as in Dickens' Our Mutual Friend.
Synonyms
Poindexter, backroom boy, boffin, brain, brainiac, bright spark, egghead, geek, nerd, poindexter, propeller head, shrewd article, smart cookie, supernerd, whiz
Scrabble Score: 14
boffin: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordboffin: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
boffin: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary