plural follies
1
: lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight
his folly in thinking he could not be caught
2
a
: criminally or tragically foolish actions or conduct
b
3
: a foolish act or idea
The prank was a youthful folly.
4
: an excessively costly or unprofitable undertaking
Paying so much for that land was folly, since it was all rocks and scrub trees.
5
: an often extravagant picturesque building erected to suit a fanciful taste
Examples of folly in a Sentence
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.
the follies of the modern world
the famous Ziegfeld Follies of the 1920s
Recent Examples on the Web
Warping science to conform to one’s politics will not change reality and will only ruin the nation that embarks on this folly.
—
Alexander Soifer, Scientific American, 2 May 2025
The current drift toward authoritarian leaders in this fractured world will leave international relations at the mercy of their whims, dreams, and follies.
—Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
This eccentric artist has earned his folly and respect.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
Florist Ivie Joy transformed the Bard Room with white blooms and candles, which were luckily in votives to avoid recreating Sedgwick’s folly.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
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Alexander Soifer, Scientific American, 2 May 2025
The current drift toward authoritarian leaders in this fractured world will leave international relations at the mercy of their whims, dreams, and follies.
—Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
This eccentric artist has earned his folly and respect.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
Florist Ivie Joy transformed the Bard Room with white blooms and candles, which were luckily in votives to avoid recreating Sedgwick’s folly.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folly. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
folly
noun
fol·ly
ˈfäl-ē 
plural follies
1
: lack of good sense or judgment
2
: foolish behavior
3
: a foolish act or idea
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