Fool Definition
fo͝ol
fooled, fooling, fools
noun
fools
A person with little or no judgment, common sense, wisdom, etc.; silly or stupid person; simpleton.
Webster's New World
One who acts unwisely on a given occasion.
I was a fool to have quit my job.
American Heritage
One who has been tricked or made to appear ridiculous; a dupe.
They made a fool of me by pretending I had won.
American Heritage
A victim of a joke or trick; dupe.
Webster's New World
A man formerly kept in the household of a nobleman or king to entertain by joking and clowning; professional jester.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
fooled, fooling, fools
To make a fool of; trick; deceive; dupe.
Webster's New World
To act like a fool; be silly.
Webster's New World
To confound or prove wrong; surprise, especially pleasantly.
We were sure they would fail, but they fooled us.
American Heritage
To speak, act, etc. in jest; joke.
Webster's New World
To trifle or meddle (with)
Webster's New World
adjective
Foolish.
Webster's New World
idiom
play
- To act in an irresponsible or foolish manner.
- To behave in a playful or comical manner.
American Heritage
be no fool
- to be shrewd and capable
Webster's New World
fool around
- to spend time in trifling or pointless activity
- to trifle or meddle
Webster's New World
fool away
- to fritter away foolishly
Webster's New World
play the fool
- to act like a fool; do silly things; clown
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Fool
- play
- be no fool
- fool around
- fool away
- play the fool
Origin of Fool
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Middle English fol from Old French from Late Latin follis windbag, fool from Latin follis bellows bhel-2 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Middle English fōl (“fool”), from Old French fol (French fou (“mad”)) from Latin follis.
From Wiktionary
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