silliness

Everyday

1. Being silly: behaving in a foolish, funny or not serious way. tree →
2. A silly act or silly talk. tree →

In the lessons

A behaviour word. Teachers say «That's enough silliness» to settle a class. In Alice in Wonderland the Mad Hatter's tea party and the Mock Turtle's lessons are full of silliness that is also clever nonsense. In stories silliness can be playful and happy or annoying and unsafe.

Examples

• That's enough silliness — please sit down. tree →
• The party was full of giggles and silliness. tree →
• I laughed at the silliness of the joke. tree →
• Alice was tired of the silliness at the tea party. tree →
• Their silliness on the climbing frame was dangerous. tree →
• A bit of silliness after a hard test is fine. tree →
• For that one moment he dropped his silliness and spoke with dignity. tree →

Note

Uncountable noun: say «a lot of silliness», not «silliness-es». From the adjective «silly». Silliness is not always bad — it can mean harmless fun.