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
Synonyms
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
But, first, how reporting on an architectural folly in Manhattan sparked a love for leaning towers everywhere.
—
Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2025
The new president realizes the folly inherent in ignoring the scope of our vast natural assets by arbitrarily restricting development of the resources necessary to provide Americans with the highest standard of living in the world.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
This year, Lewis’ folly reentered the public eye, with a documentary devoted to it, a Hollywood producer acquiring rights to the original script, and the Library of Congress opening its trove of material to researchers.
—Jta Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2025
Buy Now 05 of 15 'The Rachel Papers' by Martin Amis
Adolescent angst and the foibles and follies that come with it have been a mainstay of fiction since the form began, and this one's a prime example.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for folly 
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Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2025
The new president realizes the folly inherent in ignoring the scope of our vast natural assets by arbitrarily restricting development of the resources necessary to provide Americans with the highest standard of living in the world.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
This year, Lewis’ folly reentered the public eye, with a documentary devoted to it, a Hollywood producer acquiring rights to the original script, and the Library of Congress opening its trove of material to researchers.
—Jta Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2025
Buy Now 05 of 15 'The Rachel Papers' by Martin Amis
Adolescent angst and the foibles and follies that come with it have been a mainstay of fiction since the form began, and this one's a prime example.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for folly
Dictionary Entries Near folly
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folly. Accessed 9 Feb. 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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