foolishness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foolishness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of good sense or judgment, often in a lighthearted or critical manner. Example: "His decision to invest all his savings in that scheme was pure foolishness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's such a period piece of foolishness: him for losing the plot, and America for being more worried about a man crying than his wife being traduced.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In retrospect, the trip was an exercise in youthful foolishness: I went alone, landing in Havana with nowhere to stay, no friends, and very little money.

The Guardian - Music

Folks here in the middle of America pride ourselves on a preference for facts over foolishness, deeds over declarations.

The Guardian - Opinion

His greatest foolishness, though, is to try to solve constitutional issues that affect the whole of the United Kingdom with proposals that are both partial – aimed at England alone – and partisan: aimed at advantaging the Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

The overwhelming arrogance of the listeners and the foolishness of the last administration has left the US government in an unnecessary hole.

The Guardian - Tech

It doesn't excuse the divisiveness or foolishness of austerity, but it will be very popular.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of those early-20th-century English anthropologist travels to Africa to expose the foolishness of what they presume to be "primitive" beliefs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps the most persistent attempt to expose the foolishness of the belief in ghosts is Scooby-Doo.

The Guardian - Opinion

What will look most odd over the course of a few decades is how Fifa resolutely opposed technology as an aid to referees for years, not showing the slightest interest, despite a succession of embarrassing mistakes, right up until Frank Lampard's non-goal in Bloemfontein in 2010 showed them the foolishness of their ways.

The Guardian - Sport

It is the denial of Scottish folklore, far more than the personal inconvenience, that fills me with rage at the foolishness of the city fathers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Many derivational suffixes are common to most Slavic languages e.g., the very productive suffix -stvo (as in Russian khristian-stvo 'Christianity,' Ukrainian pobratym-stvo 'fraternity,' Polish głup-stwo 'foolishness, trifle,' Macedonian golem-stvo 'high status, arrogance').

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foolishness", consider the specific nuance you want to convey, as it can range from lighthearted silliness to serious lack of judgment.

Common error

While "foolishness" is widely understood, in highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "folly" or "imprudence" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "foolishness" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state or quality of being foolish, or an instance of foolish behavior. Ludwig examples show it used to describe actions, decisions, or ideas considered unwise or lacking good judgment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Music

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foolishness" is a versatile noun used to describe the state or quality of being foolish. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term is correct and usable in English, ranging from lighthearted silliness to serious lack of judgment. It appears frequently in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts. Consider synonyms like "folly" or "stupidity" depending on the specific nuance required. When using "foolishness", ensure it aligns with the overall tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

folly

A more formal synonym, often implying a lack of good sense or judgement.

stupidity

Implies a lack of intelligence or understanding.

absurdity

Highlights the nonsensical or illogical nature of something.

silliness

Refers to a playful or trivial form of foolishness.

idiocy

Indicates extreme foolishness or lack of intelligence.

imprudence

Emphasizes the lack of caution or foresight.

inane behavior

Highlights actions that are silly or meaningless.

irrationality

Focuses on the lack of logical thought or reason.

unwisdom

A more formal way of saying a lack of wisdom.

daftness

Implies a mild or amusing form of foolishness.

FAQs

How can I use "foolishness" in a sentence?

You can use "foolishness" to describe a state of being foolish or an action that lacks good sense. For example: "His greatest foolishness was trying to solve constitutional issues." Or: "The trip was an exercise in youthful foolishness."

What are some synonyms for "foolishness"?

Some synonyms for "foolishness" include "folly", "stupidity", "absurdity", and "silliness". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "foolishness" a formal or informal word?

"Foolishness" is generally considered a neutral word, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, alternatives like "folly" or "imprudence" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "foolishness" and "stupidity"?

While both words describe a lack of good sense, "foolishness" can sometimes imply a more lighthearted or unintentional lack of judgment, whereas "stupidity" often suggests a more fundamental lack of intelligence or understanding.