folly

• Nom désignant un manque de bon sens, une action ou une entreprise insensée et irraisonnable, ou une absurdité.

A noun referring to a lack of good sense, foolishness, or an unwise action or undertaking.

1. Foolishness or lack of wisdomB2formal

   A lack of good sense or judgment; foolish behavior or action.

   Folie, manque de sagesse

   • It was sheer folly to invest all his money in that risky scheme.
   • The folly of their decision became apparent too late.
   • She regretted her youthful folly for years.

   Synonymesabsurdityfoolishnessimprudenceindiscretionlunacynonsenserashnessrecklessnesssillinessstupidity

   Antonymesjudgmentprudencesagacitysensewisdom

2. Costly or foolish mistakeB2formal

   An action or idea that is foolish and often leads to negative consequences.

   Erreur coûteuse ou insensée

   • Building a house on that unstable cliff was a costly folly.
   • The project was abandoned as a financial folly.
   • His attempt to climb the mountain alone was a dangerous folly.

   Synonymesabsurdityblundererrorfiascofoolishnessgaffeimprudencemiscalculationmisstepmistake

   Antonymesjudgmentprudencesensewisdom

3. Decorative buildingC1formalbritish

   A costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, often found in gardens or parks.

   Fabrique de jardin

   • The estate features a Gothic folly in the middle of the lake.
   • They visited a famous 18th-century folly in the English countryside.
   • The garden folly was built purely for aesthetic pleasure.