Definitions

folly

[fol-ee] / ˈfɒl i /

NOUN

nonsense, ridiculous idea

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absurdity craziness foolishness idiocy indiscretion lunacy madness recklessness silliness stupidity

STRONG

daftness fatuity imbecility impracticality imprudence inadvisability inanity irrationality obliquity rashness senselessness triviality unsoundness vice

WEAK

dottiness dumb thing to do dumb trick preposterousness witlessness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

care carefulness intelligence sense

WEAK

judgment knowledge seriousness understanding wisdom

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The penguins, which hatched in 2024, travelled to the Cotswolds from Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo in Wales.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

The license was originally issued under heavy pressure from Rousseff’s government, said Folly.

From Washington Times • May 7, 2023

The whole place was strangely scentless: a spread of neo-brutalism and Faraday Cage Folly architecture, sterile sculptures studded with hostile textures, quasi-public outbuildings like amphitheaters and gazebos that were functionally useless and inaccessible.

From Slate • Aug. 27, 2022

For the past two years, I’ve felt like Folly, only Death was chasing me.

From Washington Post • Feb. 28, 2022

Folly again, to think that he could move her.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

Vocabulary lists containing folly

This Week in Words: January 20 - 26, 2018

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"Common Sense," Vocabulary from the pamphlet

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Siddhartha

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