bêtise

American  

[be-teez] / bɛˈtiz /

noun

1. lack of understanding, perception, or the like; stupidity.

2. a stupid or foolish act or remark.

3. something inconsequential or without merit; absurdity; trifle.

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bêtise British  

/ bɛˈtiːz /

noun

1. rare folly or lack of perception

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Etymology

Origin of bêtise

1820–30; < French: literally, foolishness, equivalent to bête foolish ( beast ) + -ise -ice

Example Sentences

Exasperated, she added, “Ça, c’est bêtise.”

From New York Times

In pursuit of his quest, he delivers a magnificent riff on the bêtise.

From The Guardian

The Wise Men, though committing, as Waugh put it, “every kind of bêtise,” arrive in the end and find their silly gifts accepted.

From Slate

They know that the battle is decided by fate, personified in what they like to call la bêtise humaine – the sheer stupidity of other people.

From The Guardian

Son oncle rougit de sa simplicité, et les convives baissèrent tous les yeux sans daigner répondre à cette bêtise.

From Project Gutenberg