Main Entry: sil·ly

Pronunciation: \ˈsi-lē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): sil·li·er; sil·li·est

Etymology: Middle English sely, silly happy, innocent, pitiable, feeble, from Old English sǣlig, from sǣl happiness; akin to Old High German sālig happy

Date: 14th century

1 archaic : helpless, weak
2 a : rustic, plain b obsolete : lowly in station : humble
3 a : weak in intellect : foolish b : exhibiting or indicative of a lack of common sense or sound judgment <a very silly mistake> c : trifling, frivolous
4 : being stunned or dazed <scared silly> <knocked me silly>

synonyms see simple

— sil·li·ly \ˈsi-lə-lē\ adverb

— sil·li·ness \ˈsi-lē-nəs\ noun

— silly noun or adverb