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Definition of fool
1 : a person lacking in judgment or prudence Only a fool would ride a motorcycle without wearing a helmet.
2a : a retainer (see 1retainer 1) formerly kept in great households to provide casual entertainment and commonly dressed in motley with cap, bells, and baubleb : one who is victimized or made to appear foolish : dupe History has made fools of many rash prophets.
3a : a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understandingb : one with a marked propensity or fondness for something a dancing fool a fool for candy
4 : a cold dessert of pureed fruit mixed with whipped cream or custard
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Examples of fool in a Sentence
those fools who ride motorcycles without wearing helmets
Only a fool would ask such a silly question.
You'd be a fool to believe what he tells you.
You're making yourself look like a fool.
Recent Examples of fool from the Web
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Get rid of, as quickly as possible, the underachievers and mopers and fool’s gold who didn’t pan out under scrutiny.
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On the basis of recent experience, only a fool would predict a month ahead in the current climate, let alone almost two years.
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But others say the Democrats would be fools not to nominate him.
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But others think the rebranding is a fool’s errand.
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Tired of waiting around for this podcast like a gosh-darn fool?
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Tony Dokoupil takes a Father's Day look at a new generation of devoted Dads: Don't let the sport coat fool you -- Simon Isaacs is ready for the playground.
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Like the Good Book says, a wise man prepares, a fool takes his chances.
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Wonder Woman could have come off as patronizing or simplistic, and for Diana to look like an idealistic fool—
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fool'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of fool
Middle English, from Anglo-French fol, from Late Latin follis, from Latin, bellows, bag; akin to Old High German bolla blister, balg bag — more at belly
fool
Definition of fool
Examples of fool in a Sentence
The dog was barking its fool head off.
Some fool driver kept trying to pass me!
Origin and Etymology of fool
see 1fool
fool
Definition of fool
intransitive verb
1a : to behave foolishly told the children to stop their fooling —often used with aroundb : to meddle, tamper, or experiment especially thoughtlessly or ignorantly don't fool with that gun —often used with around
2a : to play or improvise a comic roleb : to speak in jest : joke I was only fooling
3 : to contend or fight without serious intent or with less than full strength : toy a dangerous man to fool with
transitive verb
1 : to make a fool of : deceive
2 obsolete : infatuate
3 : to spend on trifles or without advantage : fritter —used with away
Examples of fool in a Sentence
When she first told us that she was getting married, we thought she was fooling.
His disguise didn't fool anybody.
He really had me fooled.
Stop fooling yourself—she doesn't really love you.
Recent Examples of fool from the Web
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Many a climber has been fooled by Chugach crud, reaching out with hand or foot only to feel the rock disintegrate along an invisible fault line.
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Proving consumers who sue were fooled by advertisements is an uphill battle.
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Bernie Madoff fooled the smartest people on Wall Street, SEC, family, brokers and major hedge funds.
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Crowley even fools us into thinking, initially, that his first feature as a writer-director is destined to be a comedy.
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But if Bilas were happy to play down his athletic gifts, others were apparently not fooled.
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Don’t be fooled, though: The urban renaissance is far from over.
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Looks like the defensive back peeled off the receiver running the out, which may have fooled Mahomes.
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Be repetitive and tricky — fool the kids into doing the right thing.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fool'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of fool
see 1fool
FOOL Defined for English Language Learners
fool
playDefinition of fool for English Language Learners
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: a person who lacks good sense or judgment : a stupid or silly person
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: a person who enjoys something very much
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: a dessert made with cooked fruit and cream or a thick sauce
fool
Definition of fool for English Language Learners
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: to speak or act in a way that is not serious
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: to make (someone) believe something that is not true : to trick (someone)
FOOL Defined for Kids
History for fool
In Latin the word follis meant “bag” or (in the plural form folles) “bellows.” In the late stage of Latin that developed into French, follis also took on the meaning “person without sense,” whose head seemed, like a bag or bellows, to be full of nothing but air. Follis became Old French fol, which was borrowed into English as fol, later spelled fool.
Definition of fool for Students
fooled
;fooling
Learn More about fool
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See words that rhyme with fool Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fool Spanish Central: Translation of fool Nglish: Translation of fool for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fool for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fool
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