fool
fool
Fool (noun) means a person who acts or thinks without good sense or judgment. Example: “Only a fool would invest his life savings without doing any research.”
noun
1
A person who acts or thinks without good sense or judgment.
"Only a fool would invest his life savings without doing any research."
"Don't be a fool — read the contract before you sign it."
"I felt like a fool when I realised I had locked my keys inside."
2
Historically, a jester employed to entertain a royal court.
"The king's fool was the only one allowed to mock him openly."
"In the play, the fool wore bells on his hat and juggled for the queen."
"Shakespeare often gave the wisest lines to the fool."
3
A British dessert made of pureed fruit folded into cream or custard.
"We had gooseberry fool for pudding."
"My aunt makes a lovely rhubarb fool every spring."
"For a light pudding, try a strawberry fool with a crisp biscuit."
verb
1
To trick or deceive someone.
"The scammer fooled dozens of people out of their savings."
"You can't fool me twice with the same excuse."
"The magician fooled the audience with a very clever trick."
How to use fool
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who lacks good judgment, or the act of deceiving someone; also a fruity British dessert.
Common mistake
The dessert sense is unrelated to the "silly person" sense in most people's minds, though both trace back to the same word.
Common pairings
make a fool of
fool around
nobody's fool
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Word forms
- Plural
- fools
- Third person singular
- fools
- Past tense
- fooled
- Comparative
- fooler, more fool
- Superlative
- foolest, most fool
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Only a _____ would invest his life savings without doing any research.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fool
See all rhymes for 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.
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