folly

fol-ly · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Lack of good sense or judgment; foolishness.

  2. 2.

    A foolish act, idea, or practice.

  3. 3.

    (Architecture) A costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, typically a tower or mock-Gothic ruin in a large garden or park.

Forms

plural: follies

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    sheer folly — complete foolishness
  • •
    the folly of one's ways — recognition of past mistakes

Related words

Antonyms: prudence, sense, wisdom
See also: fool, foolish, foolishness
Synonyms: absurdity, foolishness, madness, stupidity

Etymology

From Old French folie ("madness, foolishness"), from fol ("fool"). Related to "fool" and "foolish."