to fool
1
6.4
- verb
- /fuːl/
- It's easy to fool around instead of focusing on your studies during finals week.
Examples
-
The more alarmist the claims, the more money they can fool the public into giving.
Blog text (2) -
If you say you want financial security but go skiing every weekend, you are just fooling yourself.
Fiction book (1992) -
We've spent too long fooling ourselves because it's easier that way.
-
I hope I didn't fool myself and waste my energies.
Blog text (23) -
Oh, I've been fooling myself about Ron for too long now.
-
Don't fool away your money on unnecessary gadgets that will just collect dust.
-
If you keep fooling with your budget, you'll end up in debt before you know it.
Synonyms
63
6.5
To use money, time, or chances in a foolish way
8
6.8
To waste small amounts of time, money, or energy little by little
7
6.5
To spend time or money in a wasteful way
7
6.0
Waste time or money on small unimportant things
2
6.9
To spend saved money quickly on things you do not need
1
7.0
To use money or energy in a foolish, wasteful way
1
8.6
To spend money quickly on things you do not need
1
8.1
To waste time, money, or chances by being careless
To spend money carelessly and waste it
Antonyms
Idioms
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
- Archaic
1
9.9
A person who wears bright clothes at a court to make a king or noble laugh
How Wasteful
- Informal
2
6.9
63
6.5
1
6.4
7
6.0
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Etymology
Fool meaning 'to waste' comes from the idea of acting like a fool with money or time, so to fool away something is to spend it carelessly and regret it later.