fool
1 antonyms and opposites of fool, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A person who acts or thinks without good sense or judgment.
Antonyms
How to use fool
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French fol, "mad," ultimately from Latin follis, "bellows" or "bag of air" — the idea being a fool is all wind, no substance.
Full origin of fool →Frequently asked questions
What does “fool” mean?
The word “fool” means a person who acts or thinks without good sense or judgment. In plain terms, someone who lacks good judgment, or the act of deceiving someone; also a fruity British dessert.
How do you pronounce “fool”?
“Fool” is pronounced fool (/fuːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “fool” in a sentence?
Here is “fool” used in a sentence: “Only a fool would invest his life savings without doing any research.”
What is another word for “fool”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fool” include alcatote, asshat, bayard, berk, birdbrain and blither.
What is the opposite of “fool”?
The opposite of “fool” — its antonyms — is sage.
What part of speech is “fool”?
Depending on how it is used, “fool” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fool” come from?
The word “fool” comes from Latin. From Old French fol, "mad," ultimately from Latin follis, "bellows" or "bag of air" — the idea being a fool is all wind, no substance.
Is “fool” a common word?
“Fool” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'fool' and 'idiot'?
Both describe a person lacking good sense, but 'fool' often focuses on foolish behaviour or poor judgment, while 'idiot' is harsher and directly attacks intelligence. 'Fool' can also be used lightly or affectionately, which 'idiot' rarely is.
What was a 'fool' in a royal court?
Historically, a 'fool' was a jester employed to entertain a royal court with jokes, songs, and antics. Court fools were sometimes permitted to mock powerful people in ways others could not.