Folly (Noun)
Meaning 1
The trait of acting stupidly or rashly.
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- Spending his entire paycheck on a lavish vacation was a folly that left him struggling to pay his bills.
- Her decision to quit her job without having another one lined up was a folly that she would later regret.
- It was a folly to think that he could learn to play the piano in just a few weeks, but he was determined to try.
- The company's folly in expanding too quickly led to financial difficulties and eventual bankruptcy.
- The politician's folly in making a promise he couldn't keep damaged his reputation and lost him the election.
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Meaning 2
The quality of being rash and foolish; "trying to drive through a blizzard is the height of folly"; "adjusting to an insane society is total foolishness".
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- Thinking he could finish a marathon without training is pure folly and likely to result in injury.
- Building a summer home in a flood-prone area is the kind of folly that insurance companies often discourage.
- Gambling away a family's savings is the epitome of folly, often caused by unrealistic hopes of sudden wealth.
- Criticizing an obvious superior at a crucial point is such an extreme example of folly that can hinder progress entirely.
- Using heavy explosives near wildlife refuges ranks high in environmentalist organizations as top priority on a folly danger chart to prohibit utterly at every state wide resource action symposium around nationwide růz
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Meaning 3
Foolish or senseless behavior.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Synonyms
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Meaning 4
A stupid mistake.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- Paying double the asking price for that painting was pure folly.
- Investing in a single company with your life savings was financial folly.
- They eventually admitted that hiring the candidate was a major folly on their part.
- Pursuing the idea further, despite obvious warnings, proved to be an avoidable folly.
- Moving forward without checking for financial aid eligibility turned out to be their folly.