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folly

noun

/ˈfɒli/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of folly

A lack of good sense or sound judgment that results in foolish or imprudent behavior.
"The love affair was a romantic folly, doomed from the start."

Detailed meaning of folly

It is often used to describe actions or decisions that are ill-advised or unwise. For example, one might say that it was a folly to invest all of one's savings in a risky stock, meaning that it was a poor decision that was likely to result in financial loss. Similarly, one might say that a war was a folly, meaning that it was a foolish or unnecessary conflict. Folly can also refer to the state or quality of being foolish or lacking in good sense. Additionally, Folly can also refer to a decorative building or feature, usually in a garden, that has no practical use or purpose.

Example sentences containing folly

1. His decision to quit his stable job and pursue a risky business venture was seen as a folly by his friends.
2. The construction project turned into a costly folly when the building collapsed due to poor planning.
3. Despite warnings from experts, the government proceeded with the environmental folly of building a dam in the fragile ecosystem.
4. Buying an expensive car on impulse proved to be a financial folly that he soon regretted.
5. The invasion of the neighboring country was considered a military folly, leading to disastrous consequences.
6. She realized her folly in trusting a stranger with her personal information, as it resulted in identity theft.

History and etymology of folly

The noun 'folly' has its etymological origins in Old French and Latin. It is derived from the Old French word 'folie,' which meant 'madness' or 'insanity.' This Old French term, in turn, came from the Latin word 'folia,' which means 'leaves' or 'foolishness.' The association between leaves and foolishness may have arisen from the idea of leaves being easily blown around by the wind, much like the capricious and erratic behavior often associated with folly. Over time, 'folly' evolved to describe a lack of good sense or sound judgment that results in foolish or imprudent behavior. This etymology underscores the historical link between erratic, irrational actions and the concept of folly, highlighting the enduring human capacity for making unwise decisions.

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Further usage examples of folly

1. The company's decision to ignore market trends and invest heavily in outdated technology was a strategic folly.
2. His persistent belief in conspiracy theories was seen as a folly by those who valued critical thinking.
3. The politician's scandalous affair was a personal folly that damaged his reputation irreparably.
4. Ignoring the advice of experienced climbers proved to be a fatal folly for the inexperienced mountaineer.
5. The extravagant spending spree was a folly that left him drowning in debt.
6. The company's decision to launch a product without conducting market research was a marketing folly.
7. Starting a diet right before the holidays was a culinary folly that led to frustration and temptation.
8. The impulsive decision to quit school without a backup plan was a foolish folly.
9. Believing in get-rich-quick schemes proved to be a financial folly for many unsuspecting investors.
10. The king's insistence on pursuing a war against a more powerful nation was a political folly that weakened his kingdom.
11. Building a house on a flood-prone area was a folly that resulted in frequent damage and loss.
12. The artist's attempt to create an avant-garde masterpiece ended up being a pretentious folly.
13. Placing blind trust in an unreliable source turned out to be an intellectual folly that led to misinformation.
14. Her constant spending spree was a clear example of financial folly.
15. Ignoring expert advice proved to be a costly folly in the stock market.
16. Reckless driving is a dangerous folly that risks lives on the road.
17. Starting a business without a plan is a recipe for entrepreneurial folly.
18. Believing in get-rich-quick schemes often leads to financial folly.
19. Skipping sunscreen at the beach is a skincare folly one should avoid.
20. Engaging in petty arguments is a social folly that damages relationships.
21. Disregarding safety precautions is a dangerous construction site folly.
22. Trusting a known scam artist was an act of sheer folly on his part.
23. Neglecting one's health can result in long-term medical folly.
24. Leaving valuable possessions unattended is an invitation to theft and folly.