folly
[ fol-ee ]
/ ˈfɒl i /
Save This Word!
noun, plural fol·lies for 2-6.
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.
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.
OTHER WORDS FOR folly
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of folly
OTHER WORDS FROM folly
su·per·fol·ly, noun, plural su·per·fol·lies.Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use folly in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for folly
folly
/ (ˈfɒlɪ) /
noun plural -lies
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
- evil; wickedness
- lewdness; wantonness
Word Origin for folly
C13: from Old French folie madness, from fou mad; see fool 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012