fool Hear it!

fool1 definition

fool (fo̵̅o̅l)

noun

    1. a person with little or no judgment, common sense, wisdom, etc.; silly or stupid person; simpleton
    2. Obsolete a mentally retarded person
  2. a man formerly kept in the household of a nobleman or king to entertain by joking and clowning; professional jester
  3. a victim of a joke or trick; dupe
  4. a person especially devoted to or skilled in some activity a dancing fool

Etymology: ME fol < OFr (Fr fou) < LL follis < L, windbag, bellows: see follicle

adjective

Informal foolish

intransitive verb

  1. to act like a fool; be silly
  2. to speak, act, etc. in jest; joke
  3. Informal to trifle or meddle (with)

transitive verb

to make a fool of; trick; deceive; dupe
fool Idioms

be no fool

or be nobody's fool
to be shrewd and capable

fool around

☆ Informal
  1. to spend time in trifling or pointless activity
  2. to trifle or meddle
  3. to engage in casual sexual activity

fool away

Informal to fritter away foolishly

play the fool

to act like a fool; do silly things; clown
fool2 definition

fool (fo̵̅o̅l)

noun

Brit. crushed stewed fruit mixed with cream, esp. whipped cream

Etymology: Early ModE < ? fool

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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April fool36 years ago

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