silly

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: cockamamiecockamamygoofysappywackywhackyzanyairheadeddizzyempty-headedfeatherbrainedgiddy

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a word used for misbehaving children“don't be a silly”

Adjective (4)

  1. ludicrous, foolish“gave me a cockamamie reason for not going”“wore a goofy hat”“a silly idea”“some wacky plan for selling more books”Synonyms: cockamamiecockamamygoofysappywackywhackyzany
  2. lacking seriousness; given to frivolity“a dizzy blonde”“light-headed teenagers”“silly giggles”Synonyms: airheadeddizzyempty-headedfeatherbrainedgiddylight-headedlightheaded
  3. inspiring scornful pity“how silly an ardent and unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on in years — Dashiell Hammett”Synonyms: patheticridiculous
  4. dazed from or as if from repeated blows“knocked silly by the impact”“slaphappy with exhaustion”Synonyms: punch-drunkslaphappy
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Silly \Sil"ly\, a. [Compar. Sillier; superl. Silliest.] [OE. seely, sely, AS. s?lig, ges?lig, happy, good, fr. s?l, s?l, good, happy, s?l good fortune, happines; akin to OS. s[=a]lig, a, good, happy, D. zalig blessed, G. selig, OHG. s[=a]l[imac]g, Icel. s?l, Sw. s[aum]ll, Dan. salig, Goth. s?ls good, kind, and perh. also to L. sollus whole, entire, Gr. ???, Skr. sarva. Cf. Seel, n.]

1.Happy; fortunate; blessed. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2.Harmless; innocent; inoffensive. [Obs.] "This silly, innocent Custance." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

The silly virgin strove him to withstand.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]
A silly, innocent hare murdered of a dog.— Robynson (More's Utopia).[1913 Webster]

3.Weak; helpless; frail. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

After long storms . . . With which my silly bark was tossed sore.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]
The silly buckets on the deck.— Coleridge.[1913 Webster]

4.Rustic; plain; simple; humble. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

A fourth man, in a sillyhabit.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
All that did their silly thoughts so busy keep.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

5.Weak in intellect; destitute of ordinary strength of mind; foolish; witless; simple; as, a silly woman. [1913 Webster]

6.Proceeding from want of understanding or common judgment; characterized by weakness or folly; unwise; absurd; stupid; as, silly conduct; a silly question. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Simple; brainless; witless; shallow; foolish; unwise; indiscreet. See Simple. [1913 Webster]

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