Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a foolish manner; without understanding or judgment; unwisely; indiscreetly.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In a foolish manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a foolish manner.
  • adverb Without good judgment.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb without good sense or judgment

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

foolish +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • If we again foolishly invest our hope in restraint, we will one day be greeted by a mushroom cloud over Tokyo, or London, or Madrid, or Chicago, or Toronto or some other city of innocent civilians.

    Think Progress » Bolton: My Support ‘Would Probably Be The Kiss of Death’ For Next U.N. Head 2006

  • Note, It is not strange if those that begin foolishly end madly; for an ungoverned tongue, the more liberty is allowed, grows the more violent.

    Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume III (Job to Song of Solomon) 1721

  • It was of these luxuries that Margaret was especially fond; and her grandmother, with an instinct that those tastes of Margaret's proved her indeed a lady -- and made it impossible that she should marry, or even think of marrying, "foolishly" -- had been most graciously generous in gratifying them.

    The Fashionable Adventures of Joshua Craig; a Novel David Graham Phillips 1889

  • In a few warmhearted sentences, he echoes Sasha’s pledge of undying loyalty, urges him to cheer up and not be so serious — Dr. Mandelbaum’s term foolishly earnest springs happily to his pen.

    Absolute Friends Le Carre, John, 1931- 2003

  • I left Chop Suey slightly bruised from getting in the way of an impromptu one-man mosh pit and grinning foolishly, which is the way all the best shows end.

    The Parson Red Heads and Blitzen Trapper at Chop Suey | Seattle Metblogs 2008

  • Both words are from the Latin “stultiloquus”, speaking foolishly, which is derived from “stultus”, foolish, plus “loquus”, that speaks.

    Mishmash « So Many Books 2006

  • Influence was abroad in the Land; and by the instrument, we had knowledge that it approached; and some of the Monstruwacans called foolishly with weak voices to the Ten-thousand to haste; forgetting, and desiring only their safety from that which came near.

    The Night Land 2007

  • Then did one of the Monstruwacans report that a new and terrible Influence was abroad in the Land; and by the instrument, we had knowledge that it approached; and some of the Monstruwacans called foolishly with weak voices to the Ten-thousand to haste; forgetting, and desiring only their safety from that which came near.

    The Night Land: Chapter 4 1912

  • But the monk, happy to find himself at last off that accursed roof, and out of all danger of breaking his neck, called foolishly to Casanova to throw him the rope so that he might take care of it.

    The Historical Nights' Entertainment First Series Rafael Sabatini 1912

  • Wild as ever, thought Marian, as a little disappointed, she laid down the note, but she understood how Agnes had felt obliged to write, in hurry and agitation, and just because she felt deeply, had been unable to express herself otherwise than what some people would call foolishly and unsuitably.

    The Two Guardians or, Home in This World Charlotte Mary Yonge 1862

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