# fooling

/ˈfuɫɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈuːlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fooling
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

tricking someone into believing something that is not true. You often do this as a joke or to get what you want.

For teachers: the present participle of 'fool'; refers to the act of deceiving or tricking someone, often for amusement or to gain an advantage.

## Examples

- I was only fooling when I said I was moving away.
- He thought he was fooling everyone with his disguise, but his voice gave him away immediately.
- The con artist spent months fooling the investors into believing the startup was profitable, using falsified documents and staged demonstrations to maintain the illusion.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is fooling of me" but "He is fooling me" — The verb 'fool' is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the continuous form to describe a current state of deception or joking.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.