tomfool

American  

[tom-fool] / ˈtɒmˈful /

noun

1. a grossly foolish or stupid person; a silly fool.

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adjective

1. being or characteristic of a tomfool.

tomfool British  

/ ˌtɒmˈfuːl /

noun

1. 1. a fool

   2. ( as modifier )

      tomfool ideas

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Other Word Forms

• tomfoolish adjective
• tomfoolishness noun

Etymology

Origin of tomfool

1325–75; Middle English Thome fole Tom the fool

Example Sentences

Their own father, an amiable giant nearly seven foot tall, lacked the drive and ambition of his sons, and he refused to support this tomfool idea.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl

Rev'rend, I heard tell once about some tomfool idiot going over Niagary in a barrel, and I tell you it was like that when I tried crossin' that freshet to reach the contraption.

From Year of the Big Thaw by Bradley, Marion Zimmer

“See here, young feller!” said Wisdom, “don’t go fill yourself up with tomfool notions ’bout lions and tigers waitin’ behind every bush.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

A scamp and a scalawag and a tomfool, though, if you want to know.

From Man to Man by Gregory, Jackson

And think of that tomfool of a Tommy-Bill-beg sending the man to me.

From She's All the World to Me by Caine, Hall, Sir