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 Literature

And this is where it’s ended: with a bunch of tomfool police playing soldier, tear-gassing random civilians, arresting journalists and turning Ferguson into a watchword for policing at its worst.

From Seattle Times

His manner and policies did not endear him to his political masters, notably Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who said he pursued “tomfool issues” and represented “a kind of aging perennial youth: he immatures with age.”

From New York Times

I know that well enough for I knew one of the tomfools.

From Project Gutenberg

Angry incredulity choked me, and I sat scowling at Silver Heels and striving to reconcile her serious mien with such a tomfool speech.

From Project Gutenberg