SILLY
adjective
Synonyms
Simple; brainless; witless; shallow; foolish; unwise; indiscreet. See Simple.
Definitions
- 1. Happy; fortunate; blessed. [Obs.] Chaucer.
- 2. Harmless; innocent; inoffensive. [Obs.] "This silly, innocent Custance." Chaucer. The silly virgin strove him to withstand. Spenser. A silly, innocent hare murdered of a dog. Robynson (More's Utopia).
- 3. Weak; helpless; frail. [Obs.] After long storms . . . With which my silly bark was tossed sore. Spenser. The silly buckets on the deck. Coleridge.
- 4. Rustic; plain; simple; humble. [Obs.] A fourth man, in a sillyhabit. Shak. All that did their silly thoughts so busy keep. Milton.
- 5. Weak in intellect; destitute of ordinary strength of mind; foolish; witless; simple; as, a silly woman.
- 6. Proceeding from want of understanding or common judgment; characterized by weakness or folly; unwise; absurd; stupid; as, silly conduct; a silly question.
Added: October 09, 2025
Updated: October 09, 2025