folly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'folly' is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used as a noun meaning an act or instance of foolishness or lack of good sense. Example sentence: When we realized we had spent so much money on a bad investment, we realized it had been a folly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So this year, we're publishing our second annual "it's happening" gallery designed to inspire, excite and counter the insidious narrative from the climate sceptics and go-slowers, that the UK is engaged in some kind of unique and isolated climate folly.

The Guardian

You can't demand chicken under the Human Rights Act, although the 2006 headline "Kentucky Fried Farce that shows folly of the Human Rights Act" might possibly have led tabloid readers to believe otherwise.

The Guardian - Opinion

McKenzie added: "In years past, it was folly to try".

The Guardian

He said: "Sending troops to fight in a Yemeni civil war, which is now also a Middle East proxy war, would be folly of the highest order.

The Guardian

The late prime minister said: "It would be folly to try to fit them [individual member states] into some sort of identikit European personality".

The Guardian

He said it would also expose the folly of calls from Forrest for the Australian government to remove his competitors' "licence to operate", to reregulate commodity markets and to establish illegal cartel arrangements.

The Guardian

The nature of translation means that to think otherwise is folly.

The Guardian

Or that Scotland, avid participant for over two centuries in the splendour and folly of empire, as the opulent houses near Glasgow and the Indian cemeteries full of young Campbells attest, should now wish to disown its senior partner.

The Guardian - Opinion

Be daring – next year the 90s are back, so swishing a pair of leggings for a pair of cycling shorts is not the extreme folly it once was.

The Guardian

The result was early elections, less than two years after the coalition took office, and an electorate fed up with such arrant folly.

The Guardian - Opinion

He always said that whenever he saw a dead man's mouth he saw the folly of not eating what one had in one's lifetime.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "folly", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: Is it a general lack of wisdom, a specific foolish act, or a grand architectural structure serving no practical purpose? Choose your words accordingly to maintain precision.

Common error

While "folly" is a valid word, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Sometimes more direct alternatives like "mistake" or "error" can provide more clarity and impact, depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The noun "folly" primarily functions to denote an act of foolishness or a lack of good sense. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples, highlighting its use in diverse contexts ranging from political decisions to personal choices. It can also refer to an ornamental building.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "folly" is a versatile noun that signifies foolishness, lack of good sense, or even an ornamental structure. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed, particularly in news and formal contexts. While ""folly"" is often interchangeable with words like "foolishness" or "stupidity", it often carries a stronger connotation of misjudgment leading to negative outcomes. When using "folly", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning and tone, and avoid overuse in overly formal writing to maintain clarity and impact. As such it should be used as a tool of language with the intent of being persuasive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foolish act

Focuses on the action itself being foolish.

lack of wisdom

Emphasizes the absence of good judgment.

imprudence

Highlights a lack of caution or foresight.

absurdity

Conveys a sense of ridiculousness or irrationality.

stupidity

Directly points to a lack of intelligence or understanding.

senselessness

Stresses the lack of purpose or reason.

idiocy

Indicates extreme foolishness or lack of intelligence.

error in judgment

Focuses on the mistake made in the decision-making process.

thoughtless deed

Highlights the lack of consideration or care in the action.

misguided action

Emphasizes that the action was based on incorrect or flawed thinking.

FAQs

How to use "folly" in a sentence?

"Folly" can be used to describe a foolish act, a lack of good sense, or an ornamental building. For example: "Investing in that company proved to be a costly "folly"." or "The tower was built as a decorative "folly"."

What can I say instead of "folly"?

You can use alternatives like "foolishness", "stupidity", "imprudence", or "absurdity" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "folly" or "foolishness"?

Both ""folly"" and "foolishness" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Folly" often implies a specific foolish act or idea, while "foolishness" refers more generally to a state of being foolish.

What's the difference between "folly" and "mistake"?

"Folly" suggests a more significant error in judgment, often with negative consequences, while "mistake" is a more general term for an error or unintentional act.