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silly

[sil-ee] / ˈsɪl i /


Usage

What are other ways to say silly? Silly denotes extreme and conspicuous foolishness; it may also refer to pointlessness of jokes, remarks, etc.: silly and senseless behavior; a perfectly silly statement. Inane applies to silliness that is notably lacking in content, sense, or point: inane questions that leave one with no reply. Foolish implies a lack of common sense or good judgment or, sometimes, a weakness of mind: a foolish decision; The child seems foolish. Fatuous implies being not only foolish, dull, and vacant in mind, but complacent and highly self-satisfied as well: fatuous and self-important; fatuous answers. Stupid implies natural slowness or dullness of intellect, or, sometimes, a benumbed or dazed state of mind; it is also used to mean foolish or silly: He was rendered stupid by a blow; It is stupid to do such a thing. Asinine originally meant like an ass; it applies to witlessly stupid conversations or conduct and suggests a lack of social grace or perception: He failed to notice the reaction to his asinine remarks.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It’s a silly question; I know lawyers who are good people.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

All that was at risk by going for a volleyed fly-hack was looking very silly had Green hung on to the ball.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

“They did not stand for it, which is silly because, I mean, San Francisco is so tech-forward.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

Some things are silly, and will be just fine remaining that way.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

I pretended to be a silly girl who has nothing better to do after school.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman

The worst outcome I could imagine was a case of the sillies, sleepies, or munchies.

From Slate ● Jun. 13, 2026

Chilly weather brought out the sillies in our giant panda cub, who showed off his somersault style.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 7, 2023

Though once is enough for me, I promise not to find that any more offensive than those flag-decorated pubs full of World Cup sillies.

From The Guardian ● May 31, 2010

Those sillies thought M and Teddy were smugglers, and filled with jewels.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Oh, you sillies, it’s just that the power is out. Your eyes still work fine.”

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden

If you want something much sillier that works for a group, Whirlyball is one of those activities I was skeptical about until I actually tried it.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026

She says they bring out each other's sillier side and they spend most of their time on set "belly laughing about the most random things".

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026

The awards, which celebrate the sillier side of science, have held raucous ceremonies that see the winners showered with paper aeroplanes at universities in Massachusetts since 1991.

From Barron's ● Mar. 10, 2026

The scene in which Katya discovers who informed on her dissident father, who subsequently was arrested and never seen again, is a moving moment in an evening largely given over to sillier ones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026

The longer-term the option, the sillier the results generated by the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and the greater the opportunity for people who didn’t use it.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

But that might be the silliest insurance ever sold, akin to an Armageddon policy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Parker suggests similar questions, like: "What was the silliest thing that happened, or what made you laugh today?"

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

“Salmon,” I ask this morning, “can you tell me in your silliest voice what you want in your lunch?”

From Slate ● May 10, 2026

“He was not merely my grandfather; he was my best friend. Nothing brought me greater joy than making him laugh. He had the best laugh. And the silliest dance moves.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2025

I shake my head, because it’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland




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