View synonyms for folly

folly

[ fol-ee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural fol·lies

the state or quality of being foolish; lack of understanding or sense.
a foolish action, practice, idea, etc.; absurdity:
the folly of performing without a rehearsal.
Synonyms: injudiciousness, foolishness, rashness, imprudence, lunacy, madness, indiscretion, mistake
a costly and foolish undertaking; unwise investment or expenditure.
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.
follies, a theatrical revue.
Obsolete. wickedness; wantonness.

folly

/ ˈfɒlɪ /

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

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 )

Origin of folly¹

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

It was not until after the Challenger accident that the folly of this approach was realized.

Yeah, too many Democrats signed on to this hideous folly, but the war in Iraq was obviously a GOP production.

But in the long term, Moscow can be made to regret its folly.

In wisely sidestepping the hubristic folly of trying to sum up his own time, he achieved a sort of timelessness.

Whatever the reason behind all this folly, the Georgian people have earned their right to some form of protection by the West.

I hate to be long at my toilette at any time; but to delay much in such a matter while travelling is folly.

Greater mischiefs happen often from folly, meanness, and vanity than from the greater sins of avarice and ambition.

That he laughed at their folly, and went himself in the boat, ordering his men to take a strong cable along with them.

I am ready Madam,—for I have sufficiently experienced the folly of my presuming to decline it.

This new-found joy I long pursued in secret, afraid lest it should be discovered and despised as a folly.

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