fool
noun
Definitions of fool noun
person
- B1Countable
a person who acts in a silly or unintelligent way
You silly fool, you've let the opportunity slip away!
If he believes she still cares for him, he's a complete fool.
He promised to pay me back, and like a fool, I trusted him.
- Countable
a person who entertained a king or queen and their court with jokes and amusing behavior
food
- CountableUncountable
a dessert made of fruit that has been crushed and mixed with cream or custard and sugar
gooseberry fool
Phrases of fool noun
- make a fool of yourself
To trick or deceive someone, often resulting in that person appearing foolish or ridiculous.
• You made a fool of me in front of all those people!
- any fool
Used to emphasize that someone is very unintelligent or incapable.
• Any fool could tell that she was joking.
- make a fool of someone
To deceive or manipulate someone into looking foolish or ridiculous.
• They made a fool of him during the meeting, making him look like a fool.
- be no fool
To be intelligent and not easily tricked or deceived.
• He didn't agree to the deal right away, he's no fool.
- more fool someone
This phrase is used to indicate that you believe someone is acting unwisely or foolishly.
• "He invested all his savings in that startup company." "More fool him, the company was so risky!"
- act/play the fool
To behave in a silly or foolish manner, often deliberately to make others laugh.
• He sometimes acts the fool in meetings, making people think he is funny.
verb
Definitions of fool verb
- B2TransitiveIntransitive
to deceive or trick someone
Don't let his outward appearance fool you.
She claimed to be doing it to help me, but I wasn't fooled by her actions.
Tim was deceived into thinking that he had won a large sum of money.
Phrases of fool verb
- you could have fooled me!
This phrase is used to express disbelief in what someone has just said, often implying that the person's words or actions do not align with their true feelings or intentions.
• "I don't care at all, really." "Oh really? You could have fooled me!"
adjective
Definitions of fool adjective
- Before noun
showing a lack of good sense or judgment
You've done some foolish things before, but none quite like this one.
That was a fool decision.
She quit her job for a fool reason.
Phrasal Verbs of fool
- fool around
to act in a foolish manner, particularly in a way that might lead to hazardous outcomes
• He was fooling around near the edge of the cliff and almost fell off.
- fool with something
to handle or engage with something that is challenging or hazardous
• He shouldn't fool with those dangerous chemicals; he's playing with fire.