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bêtise — meaning in English

French → English · translate English → French instead

English meaning

  • foolishness noun The state or quality of being unwise or silly.
  • hooey noun Nonsense; foolish or dishonest talk.
  • mischief noun Playful behaviour that causes minor trouble or annoyance, without real malice.
  • monkey business noun Dishonest or underhand behaviour — fiddling figures, cutting corners or quietly breaking the rules — that somebody suspects is going on.
  • nonsense noun Words, ideas, or behavior that make no sense or have no logical meaning.
  • silliness noun Foolish, playful, or frivolous behavior.
  • stupidity noun The quality of being unintelligent or unwise.
  • tripe noun The stomach lining of a cow or other ruminant animal, prepared and eaten as food.

Senses

bêtise is used for these senses in English:

  • foolishness (countable) A thing or event that is foolish, or an absurdity.
  • hooey (slang) Silly talk or writing; nonsense, silliness, or fake assertion(s).
  • mischief (uncountable) Conduct that playfully causes petty annoyance.
  • monkey business Activity that is mischievous, stupid, or time-wasting. [from mid 19th c.]
  • nonsense Letters or words, in writing or speech, that have no meaning or pattern or seem to have no meaning.
  • silliness (uncountable) That which is perceived as silly or frivolous.
  • stupidity (countable) An act that is stupid.
  • tripe (figurative, derogatory) Something foolish or valueless, especially written works and popular entertainment (movies, television).

foolishness — full definition

  1. noun The state or quality of being unwise or silly.
  2. noun A silly or absurd act or idea.

Related French words