plural follies
1
: lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight
his folly in thinking he could not be caught
2
a
: criminally or tragically foolish actions or conduct
b
3
: a foolish act or idea
The prank was a youthful folly.
4
: an excessively costly or unprofitable undertaking
Paying so much for that land was folly, since it was all rocks and scrub trees.
5
: an often extravagant picturesque building erected to suit a fanciful taste
Examples of folly in a Sentence
the folly of driving fast on steep, winding roads
his folly in thinking that he would not be noticed
The folly of such an action should be apparent to everyone.
the follies of the modern world
the famous Ziegfeld Follies of the 1920s
Recent Examples on the Web
Critically dismissed at the time of its release, Spielberg’s grand folly is a lavish spectacle that has attracted a major cult following.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 18 July 2025
Such is the folly of an uninformed electorate, vulnerable and exploitable to the maxims of tyranny.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Having a structure that crossed Wilshire Boulevard seemed a folly.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
The Darjeeling Limited underscores the folly of these men riding the rails with mountains of literal and metaphorical baggage in tow, and how the country humbles them before any healing can begin.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
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Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 18 July 2025
Such is the folly of an uninformed electorate, vulnerable and exploitable to the maxims of tyranny.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Having a structure that crossed Wilshire Boulevard seemed a folly.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
The Darjeeling Limited underscores the folly of these men riding the rails with mountains of literal and metaphorical baggage in tow, and how the country humbles them before any healing can begin.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for folly
Cite this Entry
“Folly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folly. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
folly
noun
fol·ly
ˈfäl-ē 
plural follies
1
: lack of good sense or judgment
2
: foolish behavior
3
: a foolish act or idea
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