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fool

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈfuɫ// UK //fˈuːl// fool Archaic General-service Informal Slang Vulgar

n. a person who does not have good judgment or acts in a silly way. You might call someone this if they make a mistake that was easy to avoid.

n. a person lacking in judgment or prudence; one who acts unwisely or is easily deceived. Often used as a mild pejorative in social contexts.


SIMPLE

I felt like a fool when I realized I had the wrong date.

CONTEXTUAL

He was a fool to think he could finish the entire project in a single weekend without any help.

COMPLEX

In traditional literature, the character of the fool often possesses a unique wisdom that allows them to speak truths that more serious characters are too afraid to acknowledge.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English fole (“fool”), from Old French fol (cf. modern French fou (“mad”)) from Latin follis. Doublet of fals and follis. Displaced native Old English dwæs.

Etymology 2

From French fouler (“to trample”).

Usage

Commonly used in the construction 'make a fool of (someone)' to mean causing someone to look ridiculous.

Pitfall

He is fool.He is a fool.When used to describe a person, this word is a countable noun and requires an article; it is not an adjective like 'stupid'.

Idioms5 entries

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