Fool, the Sequel (Word Of The Week)

Welcome to part two of DonaTo_DividEd‘s tribute to the word FOOL. Yesterday we explored the noun. Today we explore the verb.

Full Definition of FOOL

intransitive verb

1

a :  to behave foolishly <told the children to stop theirfooling> —often used with around

b :  to meddle, tamper, or experiment especially thoughtlessly or ignorantly <don’t fool with that gun> —often used witharound

2

a :  to play or improvise a comic role

b :  to speak in jest :  joke <I was only fooling>

3

:  to contend or fight without serious intent or with less than full strength :  toy <a dangerous man to fool with>

transitive verb

1

:  to make a fool of :  deceive

2

obsolete :  infatuate

3

:  to spend on trifles or without advantage :  fritter —used with away

 See fool defined for English-language learners »

Examples of FOOL

1. When she first told us that she was getting married, we thought she was fooling.
2. His disguise didn’t fool anybody.
3. He really had me fooled.
4. Stop fooling yourself—she doesn’t really love you.

First Known Use of FOOL

1593

Related to FOOL

Synonyms

bamboozle, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con,cozen, delude, dupe out, deceive, gaff, gammon,gull, have, hoax, hoodwink,hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead,snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, trick

Antonyms

undeceive

Near Antonyms

debunk, expose, reveal, show up, uncloak, uncover,unmask; disclose, divulge, tell, unveil; disabuse,disenchant, disillusion