How Do You Spell FOOLISH?

Pronunciation: [fˈuːlɪʃ] (IPA)

The word "foolish" is a common English adjective that describes behavior or actions that are lacking in good sense or sound judgment. The word is spelled in accordance with the standard phonetic transcription of English, known as the IPA. In IPA, "foolish" is transcribed as /ˈfuːlɪʃ/, which reflects the long "oo" sounds in both the first and second syllables and the "sh" sound at the end of the word. This spelling helps to convey the pronunciation of the word accurately and clearly.

FOOLISH Meaning and Definition

  1. Foolish is an adjective that refers to someone or something showing a lack of good sense, judgment, or wisdom. It describes behavior or actions that are marked by a lack of intelligence, prudence, or rational thinking.

    A person can be seen as foolish when they consistently make unwise decisions, exhibit a naivety or gullibility, or fail to consider the consequences of their actions. Foolish individuals often act impulsively, without carefully considering the potential outcomes or seeking advice from others. They may not possess the ability to assess risks or make sound judgments, instead prioritizing immediate gratification or following their emotions or whims.

    Moreover, the term "foolish" can also be applied to ideas, beliefs, or proposals that are clearly lacking logic or rationality. It describes notions that are absurd, nonsensical, or illogical to a significant degree. Foolishness can be identified when ideas or arguments are based on flawed reasoning, contradictory statements, or a lack of evidence or critical thinking.

    Overall, foolishness denotes a lack of astuteness, common sense, or practicality in behavior, decisions, or ideas. It is an adjective that critiques actions, individuals, or concepts that display a deficiency in judgment and intellect.

  2. Absurd; marked with folly; silly; indiscreet.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for FOOLISH *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for FOOLISH

Etymology of FOOLISH

The word "foolish" traces its roots back to the Old English word "fūlīs", which originally meant "ignorant" or "unwise". The word was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "fulōną", meaning "to deceive". Over time, the meaning of "fūlīs" evolved to include the concept of lack of judgment and sense. The modern form of the word, "foolish", emerged in Middle English and has retained the meaning of lacking good sense or acting in a silly or unwise manner.

Idioms with the word FOOLISH

  • penny wise and pound foolish The idiom "penny wise and pound foolish" refers to someone who is excessively careful or thrifty with small amounts of money, but neglects or wastes larger sums of money as a result of their short-sightedness. It implies a person who focuses on saving or gaining small amounts of money in the present, but fails to consider the bigger financial picture and ends up incurring larger losses or missing out on significant opportunities in the long run.
  • be penny-wise and pound-foolish The idiom "be penny-wise and pound-foolish" refers to someone who is careful and frugal with small, insignificant expenses (pennies) but is reckless and wasteful with larger, more important expenses (pounds). It describes someone who focuses too much on saving small amounts of money, often to the detriment of their overall financial well-being.

Similar spelling words for FOOLISH

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