foolish

[ˈfuːlɪʃ]

foolish Definition

  • 1lacking good sense or judgement; unwise
  • 2ridiculous; absurd

Using foolish: Examples

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

  • Example

    It would be foolish to ignore the warning signs.

  • Example

    She made a foolish mistake by quitting her job without another one lined up.

  • Example

    His foolish behavior got him into trouble.

  • Example

    It's foolish to spend all your money on things you don't need.

foolish Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for foolish

Idioms Using foolish

  • to behave in a way that makes oneself look silly or stupid

    Example

    She made a fool of herself by trying to dance on the table.

  • play the fool

    to act silly or stupid in order to make others laugh or to avoid responsibility

    Example

    He played the fool during the meeting to lighten the mood.

  • more fool (someone)

    used to express disapproval of someone's foolish behavior or decisions

    Example

    More fool her for not taking the job offer when she had the chance.

Phrases with foolish

  • an excessive belief in one's own abilities or worth, often leading to arrogance or stubbornness

    Example

    His foolish pride prevented him from admitting he was wrong.

  • a silly or stupid smile that makes someone look foolish

    Example

    He had a foolish grin on his face when he realized he had won the game.

  • foolish talk

    speech that is silly or nonsensical, often due to lack of thought or consideration

    Example

    Don't pay attention to his foolish talk; he doesn't know what he's saying.

Origins of foolish

from Old English 'fōlisc', meaning 'ignorant, unwise'

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Summary: foolish in Brief

The term 'foolish' [ˈfuːlɪʃ] describes someone or something that lacks good sense or judgement, or is ridiculous or absurd. It can refer to actions, decisions, or speech, as in 'His foolish behavior got him into trouble.' 'Foolish' also appears in phrases like 'foolish pride,' denoting excessive self-belief, and idioms like 'make a fool of oneself,' indicating silly or stupid behavior.

How do native speakers use this expression?