Meaning & Definition of Silly in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: Making little sense; foolish.

  Example Sentence: It was silly to argue about such a trivial matter.

• Definition: Absurd or ludicrous.

  Example Sentence: The idea seemed silly at first, yet it had merit.

• Definition: Childishly playful or mischievous.

  Example Sentence: They were feeling silly and started making funny faces.

• Definition: Having or showing a lack of common sense; foolish.

  Example Sentence: His silly mistake cost the team the game.

Etymology

Origin: Old English 'sælig', meaning 'happy' or 'blessed'; evolved to mean 'innocent' and later 'foolish'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• silly goose: A playful term for someone who is being foolish or silly.
• silly season: A period of time when news is less serious or significant, often filled with lighthearted stories.
• silly string: A novelty aerosol product that sprays out a stream of colored string.

Translations

• Spanish: tonto

• French: idiot

• German: sinnlos

• Russian: глупый

Related Words

• fool: A person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person.

• nonsense: Foolish or absurd behavior or ideas.

• clown: A comedian; someone who acts silly or foolishly to entertain.

Slang Meanings of silly

• Meaning: Airhead

  Example Sentence: Don't be such an airhead; that idea won't work.

• Meaning: Goofball

  Example Sentence: He's such a goofball when he gets around his friends.

• Meaning: Dipstick

  Example Sentence: Only a dipstick would do something that reckless.