folly
ˈfɒli
follies
Definition Synonyms

Definition of folly - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
foolishnesslack of good sense or judgment
  • His decision to invest in the scheme was pure folly..
foolishness recklessness stupidity
2.
mistakefoolish action with negative results
  • Building the bridge without a plan was a folly.
blunder error mistake
3.
architectureTECH.UKdecorative building with no practical useTECH.UK
  • The garden featured a charming folly.
4.
theaterDatedUKelaborate theatrical revueDatedUK
  • The 1920s were famous for their extravagant follies.
extravaganza revue spectacle
Add a suggestion |

Expressions with folly

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
impressive but unwise decision
His investment in the scheme was a magnificent folly.
something done that is very unwise or foolish
Climbing the cliff without gear was an act of folly.
action showing lack of good sense
Building the bridge without a plan was a piece of folly.

Origin of folly

Old French, folie (foolishness)

Terms with folly included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
ludicrous folly
ridiculous or absurd mistake
literature
literary genre using humor to expose folly or vice
humor
using humor to expose human folly

Examples of folly in a sentence

  • Ignoring the warnings was an act of folly.
  • His folly cost the company millions in losses.
  • Ignoring the warnings proved to be a costly folly.
  • The estate's folly was admired by all visitors.
  • He built a folly to enhance the landscape's beauty.
  • The city's follies attracted tourists from all over.

View all translations of folly

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:folie, erreur, ...
  2. German:Torheit, Unvernunft, ...
  3. Italian:stoltezza, sciocchezza, ...
  4. Spanish:insensatez, locura, ...
  5. Portuguese:insensatez, asneira, ...
  6. Chinese:荒唐事, 愚蠢行为, ...
  7. Japanese:愚かさ, 愚行, ...
  8. Arabic:حَماقَة, طَيْش, ...
  9. Hebrew:טִפְשׁוּת, מַעֲשֵׂה שְׁטוּת, ...
  10. Russian:глупость, ошибка, ...
  11. Ukrainian:дурість, глупота, ...
  12. Hindi:मूर्खता, फॉली, ...

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery