Folly Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)
1
a
[noncount]
:
the lack of good sense or judgment
:
- the folly of driving fast on steep, winding roads
- his folly in thinking that he would not be noticed
- The folly of such an action should be apparent to everyone.
b
:
a foolish act or idea
:
foolish behavior
[noncount]
- Their pranks were just youthful folly. [=the kinds of foolish things that young people often do]
[count]
- engaging in youthful follies
- the follies of the modern world
2
[count]
:
a very unusual or fancy building that was built in a garden for decoration or amusement in the past
3
follies
[plural]
chiefly US
:
a large public show or entertainment with many performers
- the famous Ziegfeld Follies of the 1920s
- ice follies [=a show with ice-skaters skating to music]