fool

Everyday

1. A fool is a person who acts in a silly way or without good sense. tree →
2. To fool someone means to trick them into believing something that is not true. tree →
3. To fool around means to behave in a silly way or play about. tree →
4. A fool is also a cold pudding of fruit and cream (UK). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, «Don't be a fool» means don't do something silly; calling someone a fool can be unkind. «You can't fool me» means I won't be tricked. April Fools' Day is a day for harmless tricks. In safety, «fooling around» near water, roads or on stairs causes accidents. In stories and old plays, a fool (jester) told jokes to the king, and foolish characters learn lessons.

Examples

• Don't be a fool; put your helmet on. tree →
• He fooled me into thinking it was Saturday. tree →
• You can't fool me; I saw you take it! tree →
• Stop fooling around near the pool. tree →
• On April Fools' Day, my brother put salt in the sugar bowl. tree →
• The king's fool told funny jokes. tree →
• I felt like a fool when I forgot my lines. tree →
• We had strawberry fool for pudding. tree →
• "We will all act like fools." tree →

Note

Countable noun. Adjective «foolish», noun «foolishness». «Fool» and «trick» are close as verbs. «Fool around» (US also «fool about»). Calling a person a fool can hurt; prefer saying what was silly. «April Fools' Day» is spelt with the apostrophe after s.

In Jewish tradition

In Proverbs the fool is the opposite of the wise person, who hates correction and speaks without thought. The Psalms say the fool says in his heart that there is no God.

Interpretation. Tradition reads foolishness as a moral failing and not a lack of brains. Wisdom is said to begin with fear of God.

Examples

• He leadeth counsellors away stripped, and judges maketh He fools. (Writings JOB.12.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• A brutish man knoweth not, neither doth a fool understand this. (Writings PSA.92.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Every prudent man dealeth with forethought; but a fool unfoldeth folly. (Writings PRO.13.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun. Adjective «foolish», noun «foolishness». «Fool» and «trick» are close as verbs. «Fool around» (US also «fool about»). Calling a person a fool can hurt; prefer saying what was silly. «April Fools' Day» is spelt with the apostrophe after s.