folly Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
    unwiseness; foolishness.
  2. noun a stupid mistake
    betise; stupidity; foolishness; imbecility.
  3. noun the quality of being rash and foolish
    madness; foolishness; craziness.
    • trying to drive through a blizzard is the height of folly
    • adjusting to an insane society is total foolishness
  4. noun foolish or senseless behavior
    indulgence; foolery; craziness; tomfoolery; lunacy.

WordNet

Fol"ly noun
Etymology
OE. folie, foli, F. folie, fr. fol, fou, foolish, mad. See Fool.
Wordforms
plural Follies
Definitions
  1. The state of being foolish; want of good sense; levity, weakness, or derangement of mind.
  2. A foolish act; an inconsiderate or thoughtless procedure; weak or light-minded conduct; foolery.
    What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill. Shak.
  3. Scandalous crime; sin; specifically, as applied to a woman, wantonness.
    [Achan] wrought folly in Israel. Josh. vii. 15.
    When lovely woman stoops to folly. Goldsmith.
  4. The result of a foolish action or enterprise.
    It is called this man's or that man's "folly," and name of the foolish builder is thus kept alive for long after years. Trench.

Webster 1913