fool

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a person who lacks good judgment
  2. noun a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
  3. noun a professional clown employed to entertain a king or nobleman in the Middle Ages

Etymology

From Middle English fol (“fool”), from Old French fol (cf. modern French fou (“mad”)) from Latin follis. Doublet of fals and follis. Displaced native Old English dwæs.

In classic literature

Synonyms

sap, saphead, muggins, tomfool

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