Meaning & Definition of word "Folly"

Folly

/ˈfɒli/

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.

●Middle English from Old French 'folie', from 'fol', meaning 'foolish'.

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.

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.

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.