Pronunciation: /fɑli/

Definitions of folly

noun lack of good sense; foolishness

Example Sentences

A1 It was a folly to leave my umbrella at home when it's raining outside.

A2 Her decision to quit her job without having another one lined up seemed like a folly.

B1 Investing all your savings in a risky business venture could be seen as a folly.

B2 The general's decision to attack without proper reconnaissance was considered a military folly.

C1 The company's decision to ignore market trends proved to be a costly folly.

C2 The politician's attempt to cover up his scandal was seen as a desperate folly by the public.

adjective foolish or lacking good sense

Example Sentences

A1 Her decision to walk home alone at night was a folly choice.

A2 It was a folly mistake to trust a stranger with her personal information.

B1 Ignoring the warning signs was a folly decision that led to a major accident.

B2 The company's folly investment in a failing market resulted in significant losses.

C1 His folly behavior at the meeting cost him his job.

C2 The politician's folly remarks caused a public outcry and backlash.

Examples of folly in a Sentence

formal The decision to invest in that failing company proved to be a great folly.

informal It was such a folly to try and fix the leaky faucet without calling a plumber.

slang I can't believe he bought that expensive car, what a total folly!

figurative His pride was his greatest folly, leading to his downfall.

Grammatical Forms of folly

past tense

follies

plural

follies

comparative

more folly

superlative

most folly

present tense

folly

future tense

will folly

perfect tense

have follied

continuous tense

is follying

singular

folly

positive degree

foolish

infinitive

to folly

gerund

folling

participle

follied

Origin and Evolution of folly

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old French and Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'folly' originated from Old French 'folie' which came from Latin 'folia' meaning 'foolishness'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'folly' has evolved to not only mean foolishness but also to refer to a lack of good sense or judgment, as well as a costly undertaking with no benefit.