folly

[ˈfɒli]

folly Definition

• 1. lack of good sense or judgement; foolishness
• 2. a costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, especially a tower or mock-Gothic ruin built in a large garden or park

Using folly: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "folly" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  It would be folly to ignore the warnings.

• Example

  The decision was seen as a great folly.

• Example

  The castle was a folly built by a wealthy eccentric.

• Example

  The idea of starting a business during a pandemic seemed like sheer folly.

folly Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for folly

• foolishness
• stupidity
• imprudence
• recklessness
• idiocy

Antonyms for folly

• wisdom
• prudence
• sense

Idioms Using folly

• make a folly of oneself

  to behave in a way that makes one look foolish or ridiculous

  Example

  He made a folly of himself by trying to impress his date with his terrible jokes.

• throw caution to the wind(s)

  to take a risk without worrying about the possible consequences

  Example

  She decided to throw caution to the wind and quit her job to pursue her passion.

• play with fire

  to do something that is very risky or dangerous

  Example

  He knew that investing all his savings in the stock market was playing with fire, but he did it anyway.

Phrases with folly

• dance of folly

  a situation where people continue to do something that is clearly foolish or dangerous

  Example

  The dance of folly continued as people ignored the warnings and partied in large groups.

• tower of folly

  a structure that is built for no practical purpose and is often considered a waste of resources

  Example

  The tower of folly was an extravagant addition to the garden, but it added little value to the property.

• folly of youth

  the tendency of young people to make foolish decisions due to their lack of experience and judgement

  Example

  The accident was a result of the folly of youth, as the driver was inexperienced and reckless.

Origins of folly

from Old French 'folie', meaning 'madness'

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Summary: folly in Brief

The term 'folly' [ˈfɒli] refers to a lack of good sense or judgement, often resulting in foolish or imprudent behavior. It can also refer to a costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, such as a tower or mock-Gothic ruin. Examples include 'It would be folly to ignore the warnings.' and 'The castle was a folly built by a wealthy eccentric.' Idioms like 'make a folly of oneself' and 'throw caution to the wind(s)' highlight the risks of foolish behavior.