Meaning & Definition of word "Folly"
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Folly
/ˈfɒli/
noun:
- 1. lack of good sense; foolishness.
- Example: It was pure folly to invest all her savings in that risky venture.
- 2. a foolish act or idea.
- Example: His decision to quit his job without any plan was a folly.
- 3. an act or instance of foolishness.
- Example: The folly of youth often leads to mistakes that one learns from later.
- 4. a useless or impractical idea.
- Example: Building a bridge to nowhere was deemed a folly by many in the community.
- 5. a whimsical or extravagant structure, such as a decorative building.
- Example: The garden was adorned with a folly that resembled a medieval castle.
Etymology
Middle English from Old French 'folie', from 'fol', meaning 'foolish'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
fool's folly:
A foolish act or decision made by someone perceived as naïve.
a folly of youth:
The reckless or ill-advised actions taken by young people.
political folly:
Poor decisions made in politics that lead to negative outcomes.
Related Words
fool:
A person who acts unwisely or imprudently.
foolish:
Having or showing a lack of good sense or judgment.
folly's end:
A state in which foolishness has been recognized and corrected.
Slang Meanings of folly
Meaning: Making a foolish mistake.
Example Sentence: That was a total folly, man.
Meaning: Acting without thinking, usually leading to trouble.
Example Sentence: He always gets in trouble; it's just one folly after another.