fool
fool — verb
1. to make someone believe something that is not true, usually for amusement or to
to make someone believe something that is not true, usually for amusement or to gain an advantage over them
Ife completely fooled her little brother by hiding the TV remote control behind the sofa.
The car dealer tried to fool Sayaka into signing a contract with hidden fees.
fool + noun + into + verb-ing for persuasion by deception
Arjun felt embarrassed when he realised his classmates had fooled him with a made-up story.
You cannot fool an experienced chef with cheap supermarket ingredients disguised as homemade food.
cannot fool + noun — negative ability construction
The online advertisement fooled hundreds of customers into paying for a product that never arrived.
- fool someone into doing something
- fool someone with a story
- can't fool someone
- fool the public
- enlighten
to give someone true information instead of false
Grammar Patterns
fool + noun phrase
fool + noun phrase + into + verb-ing
Usage Note
The action the deceived person is tricked into doing is introduced by 'into + verb-ing', not by a to-infinitive.
Common Mistakes
2. to express doubt about the truth of what someone has just claimed, or to let som
to express doubt about the truth of what someone has just claimed, or to let someone know you were only joking and not speaking seriously
When Tuan claimed he was done, Élise laughed and said, "You could have fooled me!"
fixed expression 'could have fooled + object' for disbelief
"I am not fooling — I saw a bear by the school gate!" Hugo told his teacher.
Yara told her friend, "Rent doubled. Just fooling — only teasing!"
present continuous 'just fooling' to soften a statement as a joke
Christopher said, "You could have fooled me — this room is clean!"
Gabriel winked at his grandmother and said he was only fooling about the vase.
- could have fooled me
- was just fooling
- not fooling
- only fooling
Grammar Patterns
could have fooled + object
was / were fooling
Usage Note
In the disbelief use, the past conditional construction 'could have fooled me' is fixed — changing the tense to 'can fool me' changes the meaning to a plain statement about ability. In the joking use, the continuous form 'was/were fooling' is standard.
Common Mistakes
fool around (or fool about)
phrasal verbto spend time behaving in a silly, playful, or unserious way instead of doing what you should be doing
The coach warned the players to stop fooling around and focus on their warm-up exercises.
Layla spent the whole afternoon fooling about with her cousins instead of studying for the maths test.
fool with
phrasal verbto touch, use, or play with something in a careless way that could cause damage or danger (usually in negative commands)
The lab assistant warned the students not to fool with the chemical equipment without permission.
Amihan told her little brother not to fool with the oven settings while their mother was out of the kitchen.
fool — noun
1. someone who does unwise or thoughtless things, often because they fail to think
someone who does unwise or thoughtless things, often because they fail to think ahead or consider the likely results of their actions
Antonia felt like a complete fool after leaving her keys inside the locked car.
collocation: complete fool / total fool / old fool
Only a fool would walk alone through that part of the city after midnight.
"Don't be such a fool — that ladder is not safe," warned Yasmin.
phrase: 'don't be a fool' as warning
Ryo felt like a fool when he realised he had been calling the wrong office all week.
- complete fool
- total fool
- old fool
- feel like a fool
- make a fool of yourself
Grammar Patterns
fool (noun) — countable, often with adjectives like 'complete', 'total', 'old'
Usage Note
Often modified with adjectives like complete, total, or old (informal) to express the speaker's view of how unwise the person was.
Common Mistakes
2. to cause someone to appear ridiculous or naive by deliberately deceiving them or
to cause someone to appear ridiculous or naive by deliberately deceiving them or setting them up to look bad
The street vendors tried to make a fool of Kabir by charging him ten times the normal price.
pattern: make a fool of + person by + verb-ing
Nila realised her so-called friend had made a fool of her in front of the whole office.
Asher's classmates made a fool of him by telling him the wrong date for the exam.
passive: was made a fool of
The detective made a fool of the thief by planting a fake diamond in the safe.
- make a fool of someone
- be made a fool of
Grammar Patterns
make a fool of + object (someone)
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive voice: 'I was made a fool of.' The object is always a person or group of people.
Common Mistakes
3. to behave in such an embarrassing or unwise way that other people lose respect f
to behave in such an embarrassing or unwise way that other people lose respect for you or see you as silly
Christopher made a fool of himself by trying to sing along in a language he did not speak.
pattern: make a fool of + reflexive pronoun
Tariro made a fool of herself by falling asleep during the quarterly review meeting.
I made a complete fool of myself trying to impress the guests with my terrible cooking.
pattern: make a complete fool of yourself — intensifier
The politician made a fool of herself when she could not answer the simplest question from the reporter.
- make a fool of yourself
- make a complete fool of yourself
- embarrass yourself
more direct and slightly less dramatic than 'make a fool of yourself'
- humiliate yourself
stronger; suggests deeper shame
Grammar Patterns
make a fool of yourself / oneself
Usage Note
Unlike sense 2 (TRICK SOMEONE), this sense describes the subject's own actions, not someone else's deception. The reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, himself, etc.) is required.
Common Mistakes
4. said about tasks or situations that are so quick or simple that absolutely anyon
said about tasks or situations that are so quick or simple that absolutely anyone could complete or grasp them
Any fool can follow this recipe — it only has three ingredients and one step.
pattern: any fool can + verb (expressing simplicity)
The instructions were so clear that any fool could assemble the bookshelf in under ten minutes.
Any fool can see that the plan is not going to work without more funding.
Any fool knows that you should measure twice before cutting the wood.
pattern: any fool knows + that-clause
- any fool can
- any fool could
- any fool knows
- anyone
neutral; 'any fool' adds a dismissive or impatient tone
Grammar Patterns
any fool can + verb
any fool could + verb
Usage Note
Always appears in the fixed phrase 'any fool' followed by a verb. It does not refer to a real person — it emphasises that no special skill is needed.
5. someone who is too smart or experienced to be tricked or taken advantage of
someone who is too smart or experienced to be tricked or taken advantage of
Nila is nobody's fool — she checked every line of the contract before signing it.
fixed phrase: nobody's fool
After thirty years in the business, Felipe is nobody's fool when it comes to spotting a dishonest deal.
Sirin may look young, but she is nobody's fool and will ask tough questions.
contrastive use: looks young but nobody's fool
The students quickly learned that the new teacher was nobody's fool and could spot a copied essay at once.
- be nobody's fool
- shrewd
adjective meaning having good judgment; sounds more formal
- streetwise
knowing how to deal with difficult or dangerous situations, especially in cities
- naive
too willing to believe that people are honest
Grammar Patterns
be nobody's fool — used as a predicate
Usage Note
This expression is always phrased as 'nobody's fool' — never 'no one's fool' or 'not a fool'. It highlights the person's shrewdness rather than their intelligence in general.
Common Mistakes
6. used when someone has done something unwise and you believe they should have kno
used when someone has done something unwise and you believe they should have known better, especially when their decision causes trouble for them
Aaron quit his job without having another one lined up, and more fool him — now he cannot pay the rent.
fixed expression: more fool + pronoun
"Sirin put all her savings into that failed business." "More fool her — everyone warned her it was risky."
conversational use: more fool her
Yara told me the tickets were a waste of money, and more fool me for not listening to her advice.
self-directed: more fool me
The neighbours refused the insurance offer before the storm, and more fool them when their roof was damaged.
plural: more fool them
- more fool you
- more fool him
- more fool me
- more fool them
- serves you right
different structure; expresses that the bad result was deserved
Grammar Patterns
more fool + pronoun (you/him/her/them/me)
Usage Note
Chiefly British. The expression can be directed at someone else ('more fool him/her/them') or used about yourself ('more fool me'). It always carries a tone of 'you/he/she should have known better.'
Common Mistakes
7. A historical entertainer who worked in a royal court, using comedy, music, and p
A historical entertainer who worked in a royal court, using comedy, music, and physical humour to amuse the ruler and the guests.
The king's fool entertained the court by telling jokes and dancing in a bright costume.
collocation: king's fool / court fool
Sirin read about a medieval fool who saved the queen's life with a clever joke.
In Shakespeare's plays, the fool often speaks more wisely than the kings he serves.
literary reference: Shakespeare's fools
Medieval fools wore colourful hats with bells so everyone could see them across the hall.
- court jester
- king's fool
- royal fool
Grammar Patterns
the + fool
king's / queen's fool
Usage Note
This sense is historical — it refers to a specific job in royal courts before the 1700s. In modern English, 'fool' for this role has been mostly replaced by 'jester' or 'court jester.'
8. The role or behaviour of deliberately acting silly or exaggerated so that other
The role or behaviour of deliberately acting silly or exaggerated so that other people find it funny.
A boy played the fool at the party, wearing a wig and making silly faces.
collocation: play the fool
Linh made a fool of herself pretending to fall as her friends rolled their eyes.
collocation: make a fool of yourself
Stop playing the fool, Christopher — the teacher is waiting for a serious answer.
At every family gathering, Uncle Joshua plays the fool to keep the young children entertained.
- play the fool
- act the fool
- make a fool of yourself
Grammar Patterns
play the fool
make a fool of yourself
act the fool
Usage Note
This sense of 'fool' almost never appears alone as a simple noun. It is always used inside fixed phrases such as 'play the fool,' 'act the fool,' or 'make a fool of yourself/me/him/her.'
Common Mistakes
9. A cold dessert where cooked fruit is crushed smooth and then combined with sweet
A cold dessert where cooked fruit is crushed smooth and then combined with sweetened cream sauce or thick egg custard.
The restaurant served a delicious gooseberry fool with fresh cream and a sprig of mint.
collocation: gooseberry fool / raspberry fool
Élise made a quick strawberry fool by mixing crushed berries with whipped cream and sugar.
For dessert, Grandmother prepared her famous rhubarb fool, which everyone ate in seconds.
A proper fruit fool should be chilled in the fridge for two hours before serving.
- gooseberry fool
- rhubarb fool
- raspberry fool
- strawberry fool
- fruit fool
Grammar Patterns
[fruit] + fool
a + [fruit] + fool
Usage Note
This sense is primarily British. The dessert names typically begin with the fruit used, e.g. 'gooseberry fool,' 'rhubarb fool,' 'raspberry fool.' Outside the UK, this dessert is less well-known and may need explanation.
act/play the fool
idiomTo behave in a silly way to make others laugh, sometimes causing annoyance.
Mia played the fool at the party, making everyone laugh.
Stop acting the fool and help me clean the kitchen.
any fool can/could…
idiomUsed to say that something is extremely easy to do.
Any fool can bake this simple cake recipe.
Could any fool really solve that puzzle in five minutes?
be no/nobody’s fool
idiomTo be too smart or experienced to be easily tricked.
Sara is nobody's fool; she checked the contract carefully.
When it comes to bargaining, Diego is no fool.
A foolish person spends money carelessly or is easily cheated.
He bought that overpriced watch without thinking—a fool and his money are soon parted.
Remember, a fool and his money are soon parted, so save wisely.
Inexperienced people attempt risky things that wiser people avoid.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread, so he invested without research.
She tried to fix the wiring herself—fools rush in.
To deliberately cause someone to appear stupid.
Brian made a fool of his brother by hiding his shoes.
Don't let them make a fool of you during the debate.
To do something silly that makes others think you are stupid.
I made a fool of myself by tripping on stage.
Why did you make a fool of yourself at the meeting?
Used to say that someone was stupid to do something, especially when it causes problems.
More fool him for lending money to a stranger.
She walked home alone at night—more fool her.
An older person acting foolishly is worse because they should know better.
He remarried at 80—there's no fool like an old fool.
My uncle invested in that scam; no fool like an old fool.
To have little patience for people you consider stupid.
Our boss does not suffer fools gladly, so be prepared.
Maya is a strict teacher who doesn't suffer fools gladly.
fool — adjective
1. describes a person, action, or idea that shows poor judgment or a lack of sensib
describes a person, action, or idea that shows poor judgment or a lack of sensible thinking, often in a way that makes other people annoyed or embarrassed
That was a fool thing to say to Aunt Rosa at her birthday dinner.
attributive use: a fool thing + to-infinitive
Bao put all his savings into a fool investment plan that quickly failed.
collocation: fool + plan / idea / scheme
The tour guide told the group there is no such thing as a fool question.
fixed expression: no such thing as a fool question
Gabriela warned her brother that his fool idea about leaving school would only cause more problems.
One fool mistake by the driver caused a traffic jam that lasted for hours.
- fool thing (to say/do)
- fool idea
- fool question
- fool plan
- fool stunt
- fool notion
- fool mistake
Grammar Patterns
fool + noun
Usage Note
Attributive only — this adjective must be placed directly before the noun it modifies. You cannot say 'He is fool'; instead use 'He is a fool' (noun) or 'He is foolish' (adjective).
Common Mistakes
Word family
- foolishadjectiveB1
- foolishlyadverbB2
- foolishnessnounB2
- foolhardyadjectiveC1
- foolproofadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words describe someone who lacks good judgment or intelligence, but they differ sharply in offensiveness and clinical history. 'Fool' is the mildest — it primarily criticises a person's judgment or behaviour in a specific situation rather than their mental ability ('I felt like a fool for forgetting'). 'Idiot' is much stronger and carries an insulting tone; it was once a clinical term for severe intellectual disability but is now widely considered offensive and ableist. 'Moron' and 'imbecile' were clinical classifications in early-20th-century psychology (moron = mild, imbecile = moderate) but are now almost exclusively used as harsh insults. In general usage, 'fool' can be self-directed or affectionate, while 'idiot', 'moron', and 'imbecile' are almost always directed at others and carry real sting. A speaker who says 'What an idiot!' is expressing stronger anger or contempt than someone who says 'What a fool!'
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'fool' entered English from Old French 'fol' (meaning mad or insane), which traced back to Latin 'follis' — a bellows or leather bag filled with air. The connection between an inflated bag and a person of empty, puffed-up judgment led to its sense of a silly or unwise person. The modern English meaning as a verb (to trick) developed from the idea of treating someone as if they were a fool.