folly

[ fol-ee ]

noun

, plural fol·lies

1. the state or quality of being foolish; lack of understanding or sense.
2. a foolish action, practice, idea, etc.; absurdity:

   the folly of performing without a rehearsal.

   Synonyms: injudiciousness, foolishness, rashness, imprudence, lunacy, madness, indiscretion, mistake

3. a costly and foolish undertaking; unwise investment or expenditure.
4. Architecture. a whimsical or extravagant structure built to serve as a conversation piece, lend interest to a view, commemorate a person or event, etc.: found especially in England in the 18th century.
5. follies, a theatrical revue.
6. Obsolete. wickedness; wantonness.

folly

/ ˈfɒlɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being foolish; stupidity; rashness
2. a foolish action, mistake, idea, etc
3. a building in the form of a castle, temple, etc, built to satisfy a fancy or conceit, often of an eccentric kind
4. plural theatre an elaborately costumed revue
5. archaic.
   1. evil; wickedness
   2. lewdness; wantonness

Other Words From

• super·folly noun plural superfollies

Word History and Origins

Origin of folly¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English folie, from Old French, derivative of fol, fou “foolish, mad”; equivalent to fool ¹ + -y ³( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of folly¹

C13: from Old French folie madness, from fou mad; see fool ¹

Example Sentences

It’s folly to look too far ahead in the NFL because injuries and circumstances can dramatically change the landscape from week to week.

From Los Angeles Times

Logic and reason do not drive the Trumpist right, and rationality is not what is motivating their mistrust in the mainstream media, and it is folly to think that doubling down on a commitment to principles that these people have already rejected is all it will take for news organizations to win these people back.

From Slate

He also correctly predicted that the war on terror would degenerate into folly, tragedy and war crimes, with a side order of corrupt contracting and bureaucratic empire-building.

From Salon

In 1999, his dismissal of Nato's military action in Yugoslavia as "unpardonable folly" was widely criticised.

From BBC

Salmond described the Nato action as "an act of dubious legality, but, above all, one of unpardonable folly" and was heavily criticised for his comments.

From BBC

Related Words

• absurdity
• craziness
• foolishness
• idiocy
• indiscretion
• lunacy
• madness
• recklessness
• silliness
• stupidity