folly
fol·ly
noun \ˈfä-lē\ plural follies
Definition of FOLLY
1
: lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight
2
a : criminally or tragically foolish actions or conduct b obsolete : evil, wickedness; especially : lewd behavior
3
: a foolish act or idea
4
: an excessively costly or unprofitable undertaking
5
: an often extravagant picturesque building erected to suit a fanciful taste
Examples of FOLLY
- the folly of driving fast on steep, winding roads
- his folly in thinking that he would not be noticed
- The folly of such an action should be apparent to everyone.
- the follies of the modern world
- the famous Ziegfeld Follies of the 1920s
Origin of FOLLY
Middle English folie, from Anglo-French, from fol fool
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to FOLLY
Synonyms: absurdity, asininity, bêtise, fatuity, foolery, foppery, idiocy, imbecility, inanity, insanity, lunacy, stupidity
Antonyms: prudence, sagaciousness, sagacity, sageness, sanity, sapience, sensibleness, soundness, wisdom
Related Words: absurdness, craziness, foolishness, inaneness, madness, senselessness, witlessness; buffoonery, monkeyshine(s), shenanigan(s), tomfoolery; drivel, humbug, nonsense, twaddle; blunder, bungle, flub, goof, howler
Rhymes with FOLLY
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