tomfoolery
7
8.2
- noun
- /ˌtɑmˈfuːləri/
- Informal
:
payasada
- The children's constant tomfoolery amused the adults at the party.
I don't know who to be more upset with Wish for allowing such tomfoolery to be done on the platform, or myself for falling for it again.
- I don't know who to be more upset with Wish for allowing such tomfoolery to be done on the platform, or myself for falling for it again.
- My hair is always withstanding, lots of twisting up and pinning and other tomfoolery.
Examples
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Sorry, no time for your tomfoolery and silliness.
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All I've got is good-natured tomfoolery.
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Any tomfoolery and out you go.
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- They have time for such tomfoolery.
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What a lot of tomfoolery!
Fiction book (1998) -
But it's not all laughs and tomfoolery.
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Enough tomfoolery.
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Enough of this tomfoolery.
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No more tomfoolery.
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What silly tomfoolery.
Synonyms
59
7.3
A foolish action or a lack of good sense that causes trouble
29
2.6
Playful or foolish behavior that is not serious and often funny
5
7.9
Clown-like, silly actions meant to make people laugh
2
6.1
Silly, harmless behavior that makes people laugh
1
4.6
Playful actions that cause small harmless trouble for fun
1
9.9
Behavior that is foolish, annoying, and often meant to make people laugh
A liking for doing playful, slightly naughty tricks on other people
Playful acts that tease people in a friendly way
Silly behavior meant to make people laugh
Antonyms
How Silly
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Tomfoolery comes from the old name Tom joined with fool, a name for a silly person, so the phrase paints a picture of a 'tom fool' acting foolishly. That's why tomfoolery means playful or 'silly' behavior that is not serious.