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Definitions

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.

"And then, of course, there's the funny and practical, how to eat, how to do silly things with water, how to flip around. We're bringing that with us too."

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

“They are such artistic geniuses, but so silly and playful.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

I see flashes of modern neo-noirs like Paul Schrader’s “The Canyons,” and the cold but still realistic otherworldliness in David Cronenberg’s “Dead Ringers” and “The Shrouds,” filtered through a silly, gay “Single White Female’ lens.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

“It has silly ideas, but it doesn’t have a soul.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

With a twinkle in his eyes and a silly little grin on his face, Grandpa said, “The only way I can think of is for you to poke your finger in it.”

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls