folly

[ fol-ee ]
/ ˈfɒl i /

noun, plural fol·lies for 2–6.

the state or quality of being foolish; lack of understanding or sense.
a foolish action, practice, idea, etc.; absurdity: the folly of performing without a rehearsal.
a costly and foolish undertaking; unwise investment or expenditure.
Architecture. a whimsical or extravagant structure built to serve as a conversation piece, lend interest to a view, commemorate a person or event, etc.: found especially in England in the 18th century.
follies, a theatrical revue.
Obsolete. wickedness; wantonness.

Origin of folly

1175–1225; Middle English folie < Old French, derivative of fol, fou foolish, mad. See fool1

OTHER WORDS FROM folly

su·per·fol·ly, noun, plural su·per·fol·lies.

Example sentences from the Web for follies

British Dictionary definitions for follies

folly
/ (ˈfɒlɪ) /

noun plural -lies

the state or quality of being foolish; stupidity; rashness
a foolish action, mistake, idea, etc
a building in the form of a castle, temple, etc, built to satisfy a fancy or conceit, often of an eccentric kind
(plural) theatre an elaborately costumed revue
archaic
  1. evil; wickedness
  2. lewdness; wantonness

Word Origin for folly

C13: from Old French folie madness, from fou mad; see fool 1