foolish

adjective

fool·​ish ˈfü-lish 

1

: having or showing a lack of good sense, judgment, or discretion

a foolish mistake

She takes foolish risks.

2

a

: absurd, ridiculous

He looked foolish in that hat.

b

: marked by a loss of composure : nonplussed

He felt foolish when he couldn't remember where he had parked the car.

3

: insignificant, trifling

foolishly adverb

Synonyms

• stupid
• silly
• absurd
• mad
• insane
• crazy
• idiotic
• fool
• dumb
• irrational

Choose the Right Synonym for foolish

simple, foolish, silly, fatuous, asinine mean actually or apparently deficient in intelligence.

simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort.

considered people simple who had trouble with computers

foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense.

foolish stunts

silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior.

the silly antics of revelers

fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality.

fatuous conspiracy theories

asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception.

an asinine plot

Examples of foolish in a Sentence

He was wearing a foolish grin.

She's been taking foolish risks.

Those flashy clothes make her look foolish.

She must feel foolish wearing those flashy clothes.

I never thought you'd be foolish enough to believe him.

Recent Examples on the Web

People hesitated, unsure of how to play with something new without looking foolish. —Cas Holman, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025

Ellis advises parents that even if teens make a few purchases that seem frivolous or foolish, instilling good financial habits is what’s most important. —Yolande Clark-Jackson, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025

But if Ross decides to dump McDaniel, it would be justified after Sunday’s lifeless effort littered with penalties (11 for 103), foolish mistakes and the appearance of a team that was unprepared and disinterested. —Barry Jackson updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025

Misiorowski had made Edman look foolish in their first matchup, getting the infielder to swing through a wicked curveball. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see fool entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foolish

• penny-wise and/but pound-foolish
• pound-foolish

Rhymes for foolish

• ghoulish

Kids Definition

foolish

adjective

fool·​ish ˈfü-lish 

: lacking in good sense or judgment : silly

foolishly adverb

foolishness noun