Fool
/fuːl/
Definitions
3 meaningsA person perceived as lacking intelligence, good sense, or judgment; a silly person.
/fuːl/
A person lacking good sense or judgment.
Don't be a fool and invest all your money in that scheme.
💡 Simply: A person who does silly things or makes bad choices. Like when you forget your homework or say the wrong thing at a party.
👶 For kids: Someone who does silly things and doesn't think things through.
More Examples
He felt like a fool after he was tricked into believing the story.
The decision to sell was a fool's errand.
How It's Used
"He was made a fool of by his friends."
"The court jester was often the fool in Shakespearean plays."
To trick or deceive someone, often in a playful or mischievous way; to make a fool of someone.
/fuːl/
To deceive or trick someone.
Don't let him fool you; he's lying.
💡 Simply: To trick someone into believing something that's not true. Like when you tell your sibling the sky is green.
👶 For kids: To trick someone into believing something that isn't true.
More Examples
The magician fooled the audience with his clever trick.
She was fooled by his charm and promises.
How It's Used
"He tried to fool the guards to escape."
"Are you trying to fool me?"
A dessert made of fruit, such as raspberries or gooseberries, mixed with cream or custard.
/fuːl/
A dessert made of fruit and cream or custard.
She made a delicious apple fool for dessert.
💡 Simply: A sweet treat made with fruit and cream. Like a yummy mix of berries and whipped cream.
👶 For kids: A yummy dessert made with fruit and cream.
More Examples
The restaurant served a raspberry fool with a hint of lemon.
He requested a gooseberry fool for his birthday.
How It's Used
"Strawberry fool is a classic dessert."
Idioms & expressions
make a fool of
To cause someone to appear foolish, especially by tricking them.
"He made a fool of himself by singing off-key."
a fool and his money are soon parted
People who are foolish with their money often lose it quickly.
"He invested in a risky business, and as the saying goes, a fool and his money are soon parted."
play the fool
To act in a foolish or silly manner, often for entertainment or to get attention.
"He played the fool to get a laugh from the audience."
From Old French *fol* 'fool, madman,' from Latin *follis* 'bellows, bag, a puffed-up person'. The verb evolved from the noun, reflecting the action of behaving foolishly.
Historically, 'fool' was a common term for court jesters and individuals with developmental differences, sometimes used for entertainment or social commentary. Its usage as a verb emerged later.
Memory tip
Imagine a person wearing a jester's hat; they are the fool.
Word Origin
"Empty-headed or puffed up."