bêtise

[be-teez]

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.

bêtise

/ bɛˈtiːz /

noun

1. rare,  folly or lack of perception

Word History and Origins

Origin of bêtise¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bêtise¹

French, from bête foolish, from bête (n) stupid person, _beast

Example Sentences

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

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

Read more on 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.

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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.

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

Read more on Project Gutenberg