First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
silly
adjective sil·ly \ˈsi-lē\
: having or showing a lack of thought, understanding, or good judgment : foolish or stupid
: not practical or sensible
: not serious, meaningful, or important
sil·li·ersil·li·est
Full Definition of SILLY
3
4
: being stunned or dazed <scared silly> <knocked me silly>
— sil·li·ly \ˈsi-lə-lē\ adverb
— sil·li·ness \ˈsi-lē-nəs\ noun
— silly noun or adverb
See silly defined for English-language learners
See silly defined for kids
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Origin of SILLY
Middle English sely, silly happy, innocent, pitiable, feeble, from Old English sǣlig, from sǣl happiness; akin to Old High German sālig happy
Related to SILLY
- Synonyms
- birdbrained, ditzy (or ditsy), dizzy, featherbrained, flighty, frivolous, frothy, futile, goofy, harebrained, light-headed, light-minded, puerile, scatterbrained, giddy, yeasty
- Antonyms
- earnest, serious, serious-minded, sober, unfrivolous
Synonym Discussion of SILLY
simple, foolish, silly, fatuous, asinine mean actually or apparently deficient in intelligence. simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort <considered people simple who had trouble with computers>. foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense <foolish stunts>. silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior <the silly antics of revelers>. fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality <fatuous conspiracy theories>. asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception <an asinine plot>.
SILLINESS Defined for Kids
silly
adjective sil·ly \ˈsi-lē\
sil·li·ersil·li·est
Definition of SILLY for Kids
1
: having or showing a lack of common sense : foolish <Silly me! I forgot again.> <What a silly mistake!>
2
: not serious or important <a silly reason>
3
: playful and lighthearted <silly jokes>
— sil·li·ness noun
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