folly
Folly (noun) means a foolish act or belief, especially one with serious or costly consequences. Example: “Investing his entire savings in one stock was pure folly.”
How to use folly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA foolish, often costly mistake, or a purely decorative building built just for looks.
Word forms
follied past tense, follies plural, follies plural, follies singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Investing his entire savings in one stock was pure _____.
Etymology
From Old French folie ("madness"), from the adjective fol ("mad, foolish") — the same root that gives us "fool."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for folly
See all rhymes for folly →Frequently asked questions
What does “folly” mean?
The word “folly” means a foolish act or belief, especially one with serious or costly consequences. In plain terms, a foolish, often costly mistake, or a purely decorative building built just for looks.
How do you pronounce “folly”?
“Folly” is pronounced FO-lee (/ˈfɑli/ in IPA).
How do you use “folly” in a sentence?
Here is “folly” used in a sentence: “Investing his entire savings in one stock was pure folly.”
What part of speech is “folly”?
“Folly” is a noun.
Where does the word “folly” come from?
The word “folly” comes from Old French. From Old French folie ("madness"), from the adjective fol ("mad, foolish") — the same root that gives us "fool.".
Is “folly” a common word?
“Folly” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “folly” have?
“Folly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a foolish act or belief, especially one with serious or costly consequences.