adjective / noun
silly
SIL-ee/ˈsɪli/
Lacking good sense, often in a playful way.
Wearing a colander as a hat, she gives a silly grin.
Etymology
From gesælig, meaning happy or fortunate, the word developed through senses such as blessed, innocent, pitiable, and weak. Mental weakness then became the modern idea of lacking sense or being foolish.
In context
can you pretend to roll in the mud like a pig can you roll in the mud so so silly
More examples
- We made up silly names for the garden statues.
- That was a silly mistake, but it was easily fixed.
- You sillies have put both gloves on one hand.
Forms
silly · sillies · sillier · silliest
silliness noun — Playful or foolish lack of sense.
Similar words
- foolish
- Often more critical and less playful.
- goofy
- Especially playful, awkward, or comically absurd.