a person who behaves in a silly way or lacks good judgment
Don't be a fool—wear a helmet when you ride your bike.
Everyone laughed when the young fool tried to jump over the puddle and fell in.
✦ From Old French fol, from Latin follis “bellows, windbag,” figuratively “empty-headed person.”
to trick or deceive someone by making them believe something that is not true
You can't fool me with that fake ticket.
They fooled the guard by wearing identical uniforms.
in the past, a court jester who entertained royalty with jokes, music, and tricks
The medieval king kept a fool at court to make him laugh during long banquets.
Dressed in bright colors, the fool danced across the hall balancing a wooden staff.
✦ Sense developed in Middle English when professional jesters were common in noble households.
a cold dessert made of puréed or stewed fruit mixed with whipped cream or custard
For dessert, she served a tangy gooseberry fool.
A strawberry fool is perfect on a hot summer day.
✦ Probably from the French verb fouler “to crush or press,” referring to pressed fruit.
to behave in a silly, playful, or careless way
The children spent the afternoon fooling in the backyard, laughing loudly.
He kept fooling with the radio dial until he found the right station.
