foolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'foolish' is a commonly used and accepted word in written English and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example: "It was foolish of me to have thought I could do it alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet it is not a foolish idea.

The Economist

I was foolish.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms Tuchman argued that a folly's success was marked by the determination of its supporters to pursue a foolish and failed policy in the face of clear arguments in favour of an alternative course.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Friday at the Amsterdam Arena, though, it was Guus Hiddink's side that was left looking foolish.

The Guardian - Sport

The former foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind went further, saying the papers showed "Labour up to its neck in a shoddy business, one of the most foolish and shameful decisions in recent years".

The Guardian

Given that so many people I spoke to in Heywood and Middleton said they were switching their vote from Labour to Ukip "because Labour doesn't listen to us", Miliband's insistence on sticking to the script seemed foolish in the extreme.

The Guardian

Clinton continued to re-establish her domestic-policy credentials to progressives while stepping up her challenges to Republicans like Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, saying it was "foolish" to believe that deportations were the answer to one of the most contentious topics in the amped-up race for the White House.

The Guardian

My reasons for signing up suddenly seem very foolish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So, if you are foolish enough to allow us into your sitting room, or invite us to accompany you to a show, be warned: you are not likely to get much peace.

The Guardian

Last summer Cameron set a red line in the wake of Bashar al-Assad's chemical attacks in Syria and had to watch as his fellow MPs turned that line to dust, leaving him furious and looking foolish.

The Guardian

It would be foolish to claim that a one-off levy - hypothecated for reducing fuel prices at the bottom of the income scale - had no disadvantages.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions, consider the degree of seriousness intended. "Foolish" can range from mildly silly to dangerously unwise; select a synonym if a different intensity is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "foolish" in highly formal or technical contexts where a more precise term like "ill-advised" or "untenable" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "foolish" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a lack of good sense or judgment. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples in support of this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foolish" is a versatile adjective used to describe actions, decisions, or people lacking good sense or judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically sound and commonly employed across various contexts. While suitable for general use, being mindful of its potential connotations is important. Consider context and desired nuance when choosing between "foolish" and alternatives such as "unwise" or "silly". "Foolish" finds frequent use in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific writing, and is deemed to have a neutral level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwise

Emphasizes a lack of wisdom or prudence in a decision or action.

silly

Suggests a lack of seriousness or importance, often implying amusement.

idiotic

Conveys a higher degree of stupidity or lack of intelligence.

absurd

Indicates something illogical or unreasonable, often to a laughable extent.

ridiculous

Implies something laughable or deserving of mockery due to its absurdity.

imprudent

Focuses on a lack of foresight or caution, suggesting a risk.

senseless

Highlights the lack of reason or purpose behind an action or idea.

asinine

Emphasizes extreme foolishness or stupidity.

daft

Suggests a mild form of foolishness or silliness, often in a good-natured way.

harebrained

Implies a wild or impractical idea, lacking careful thought.

FAQs

How can I use "foolish" in a sentence?

You can use "foolish" to describe actions, decisions, or people lacking good sense or judgment. For example, "It was a foolish decision to drive in such bad weather."

What words can I use instead of "foolish"?

Alternatives to "foolish" include "unwise", "silly", or "idiotic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "foolish" or "unwise"?

"Foolish" and "unwise" are similar, but "unwise" often implies a more serious lack of judgment with potential negative consequences, while "foolish" can sometimes suggest mere silliness.

What's the difference between "foolish" and "naive"?

"Foolish" suggests a lack of good sense or judgment, while "naive" implies a lack of experience or worldly knowledge, often leading to being easily deceived.