Meaning & Definition of word "Fooling"

Fooling

/ˈfuːlɪŋ/

noun:

  • 1. the action of deceiving someone; a trick.
    • Example: His fooling made everyone laugh, but it also made some people angry.
  • 2. a playful or humorous trick or prank.
    • Example: They pulled a fooling on their teacher, pretending to forget the class assignment.

verb:

  • 1. the act of deceiving or tricking someone.
    • Example: She was fooling her friends into believing she had won the lottery.
  • 2. to engage in playful or mischievous behavior.
    • Example: The children were fooling around in the backyard.

Etymology

Derived from the noun 'fool', which comes from the Old French 'fol', meaning 'mad, foolish'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

fooling around:

Engaging in playful or silly behavior.

fooling oneself:

Deceiving oneself about reality or truth.

fooling someone into:

Tricking someone into doing something.

Related Words

fool:

A person who is easily deceived or tricked.

decepiton:

The act of deceiving or misleading.

prank:

A practical joke or mischievous act.

Slang Meanings of fooling

Meaning: Messing around in a light-hearted way.

Example Sentence: Stop fooling! We need to get back to work.

Meaning: To playfully tease or annoy someone.

Example Sentence: She was just fooling him to get a reaction.