silliness

American  

[sil-ee-nis] / ˈsɪl i nɪs /

noun

1. the quality of lacking good sense; foolishness.

   The author pokes fun at herself and the general silliness of celebrity culture.

   Her blog cuts through the contradictions, misinformation, and downright silliness out there about naturopathy.

2. absurdity, ridiculousness, or irrationality.

   This “no-touch” policy occasionally devolves into silliness, as when a teacher hesitates to help a five-year-old zip up a jacket.

3. clownish, whimsical, or exaggerated humor and playfulness; unrestrained high spirits.

   Our sessions included a lot of chatter, laughter, and silliness—exactly what sitting around a table playing games with friends is all about.

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Etymology

Origin of silliness

silly ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Silliness is definitely good and to be celebrated in this band - and perfection doesn't matter," she laughs.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2023

‘The Annual One-Time Only New Year’s Eve Musical Revue’ Silliness reigns supreme as this long-lived and family-friendly NYE variety show returns for another year.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2022

Silliness in our movements, behavior and even language helps us think much more broadly and creatively.

From Scientific American • Jul. 20, 2021

Silliness like this muffles the serious issues Ross also addresses, most connected to a plot strand tracing the orange graffiti springing up across Popisho to expose wrongdoing by Intiasar and others.

From Washington Post • May 3, 2021

Joscelyn: Silliness in stories is more or less excusable, since they are not even supposed to be believed.

From Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard by Farjeon, Eleanor

Related Words

• absurdity
• craziness
• foolishness
• goofiness
• stupidity