silly

Showing poor judgment or a lack of careful thought.

• That was a silly mistake.
• It seems silly to throw good food away.
• I felt silly after asking the same question twice.

How to use it: silly to do something (It would be silly to pay twice.); silly of someone to do something (It was silly of me to forget the key.)

Similar words: foolish, unwise, stupid

Opposites: sensible, wise

Common phrases: a silly mistake, a silly idea, a silly question, a silly excuse

Showing that someone has not thought carefully or made a sensible choice.

• I made a silly mistake.
• It was silly to leave the door unlocked.
• Do not take silly risks just to impress your friends.

Similar words: foolish, unwise, thoughtless

Opposites: sensible, wise

Common phrases: silly mistake, silly decision, silly risk

Funny in a playful or foolish way, rather than serious.

• He made a silly face.
• We laughed at her silly little song.
• The children wore silly hats to the party.

Similar words: goofy, ridiculous, funny

Opposites: serious

Common phrases: silly jokes, a silly face, a silly voice, a silly game

A person who does something foolish, often said in a friendly or playful way.

• You silly, that is my hat!
• Come here, you little silly.
• She called me a silly for forgetting my own birthday.

Similar words: fool

Common phrases: you silly, a little silly