foolishness

[ foo-lish-nis ]

noun

1. lack of wisdom or good judgment; foolish quality:

   Oh, the foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness!

2. foolish talk, ideas, or behavior:

   How could someone with such a clever mind as yourself talk such foolishness?

3. a foolish act, error, habit, etc.:

   Shakespeare, who looks at all men as if from Mount Olympus, notes their foibles and foolishnesses, and yet smiles on them all.

Other Words From

• o·ver·fool·ish·ness noun
• un·fool·ish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of foolishness¹

foolish + -ness

Example Sentences

Motherhood has made Slate gentler on herself, sloughing off feelings of foolishness, self-criticism and self-doubt.

From Los Angeles Times

But the real annoying part of this week’s pushback from the Trump camp was Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson sitting down on a television set and joking about the foolishness of killing Harris because another “puppet” would simply take her place.

From Salon

But the real annoying part of this week’s pushback from the Trump camp was Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson sitting down on a television set and joking about the foolishness of killing Harris because another “puppet” would simply take her place.

From Salon

Wilcox said the Paszterkos were “using our already overburdened court system for foolishness.”

From Los Angeles Times

Don’t complain, she said, “if no one has specifically reached out to ask for your support. There is simply no time for that kind of foolishness.”

From Salon

Related Words

• absurdity
• bunk
• craziness
• folly
• indiscretion
• insanity
• irrationality
• irresponsibility
• lunacy
• rubbish
• silliness
• stupidity