# silliness

/ˈsɪɫinəs/ (US) · /sˈɪlinəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/silliness
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

the quality of being silly or acting in a way that is not serious. It describes behavior that is playful, foolish, or lacks common sense.

For teachers: the quality or state of being silly; behavior or speech that is foolish, absurd, or lacking in seriousness. Often used to describe a playful or lighthearted mood.

## Examples

- The children's silliness kept everyone laughing all afternoon.
- After a long week of serious meetings, the team enjoyed a bit of silliness during the Friday afternoon game.
- While some critics dismissed the film's silliness as a failure of taste, others argued that the exaggerated humor was precisely what made the story so accessible to a younger audience.

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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.