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Silly: meaning, definitions and examples

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silly

 

[ˈsɪli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

funny

Having or showing a lack of common sense or judgment; absurd and foolish.

Synonyms

absurd, foolish, ridiculous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
silly

Use this word for light-hearted, playful situations. It's often used to describe minor mistakes or actions without serious consequences.

  • That was a silly joke
  • Don't be silly, of course, you can do it!
foolish

Use this word to describe actions or behavior that show a lack of good judgment or sense. It generally has a negative connotation.

  • It was foolish of him to invest all his money in one stock
  • Don't be foolish, you should ask for help when you need it
absurd

This word fits well when describing something that doesn't make sense or is completely unreasonable. It often carries a stronger connotation than 'silly'.

  • It's absurd to suggest that we can finish this project in one day
  • Her explanation sounded absurd to everyone
ridiculous

This word is suitable for situations where something is so strange or silly that it invites mockery or disbelief. It has a stronger negative tone.

  • Her outfit was completely ridiculous for the formal event
  • The demands in his contract are ridiculous

Examples of usage

  • That was a silly mistake.
  • Don't be silly, it's just a joke.
  • Stop being so silly and focus on the task at hand.
Context #2 | Adjective

childish

Lacking seriousness or responsibility; showing a lack of maturity.

Synonyms

childish, immature, juvenile.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
silly

When someone is behaving in a funny or foolish way without being offensive.

  • She made a silly joke that made everyone laugh
immature

When someone is not showing the emotional development expected for their age, often used in a critical way.

  • Her immature behavior at work is becoming a problem for the team
childish

When an adult is behaving in a way that is more appropriate for a child, often seen as negative or embarrassing.

  • His childish reaction to the criticism was unexpected
juvenile

Similar to 'childish', but can also refer to behavior that is simplistic or unsophisticated, and sometimes used in legal contexts.

  • The court handled his case as a juvenile offense due to his age

Examples of usage

  • Don't be so silly, grow up!
  • I can't believe he's still acting silly at his age.

Translations

Translations of the word "silly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tolo

🇮🇳 मूर्ख

🇩🇪 dumm

🇮🇩 bodoh

🇺🇦 дурний

🇵🇱 głupi

🇯🇵 ばか

🇫🇷 stupide

🇪🇸 tonto

🇹🇷 aptal

🇰🇷 어리석은

🇸🇦 غبي

🇨🇿 hloupý

🇸🇰 hlúpy

🇨🇳 愚蠢的

🇸🇮 neumen

🇮🇸 heimskur

🇰🇿 ақымақ

🇬🇪 მოსულელი

🇦🇿 axmaq

🇲🇽 tonto

Etymology

The word 'silly' originated in the late Middle English period from the Old English 'sӯllīc' meaning happy, innocent, or deserving of pity. Over time, its meaning evolved to describe something lacking in seriousness or good judgment. The word has been used in English literature and colloquial speech for centuries to describe foolish or childish behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,275 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.