silly

silly [sil′ē]

adj.

sillier, silliest [ME seli, sili (with shortened vowel), good, blessed, innocent < OE sælig, happy, prosperous, blessed (akin to Ger selig, blessed) < sæl, happiness < IE base * sel-, favorable, in good spirits (> Gr hilasia, propitiation, hilaros, gay, L solari, to comfort); sense development: happy → blissful → unaware of reality → foolish]

1. Obs.

a) simple; plain; innocent

b) feeble; infirm; helpless

2. Now Rare feebleminded; imbecile

3. having or showing little sense, judgment, or sobriety; foolish, stupid, absurd, ludicrous, irrational, etc.: often used in a weakened sense to mean “unreasonably concerned” [don't be silly, it's no bother]

4. frivolous or trivial

5. Informal dazed or senseless, as from a blow

n.

pl. sillies

a silly person

SYN.- ABSURD

sillily

adv.

silly

silliness

n.

SYN.- SILLY implies ridiculous or irrational behavior that seems to demonstrate a lack of common sense, good judgment, or sobriety [it was silly of you to dress so lightly ]; STUPID implies a slow-wittedness or lack of normal intelligence [he is stupid to believe that ]; FATUOUS suggests stupidity, inanity, or obtuseness coupled with a smug complacency [a fatuous smile ]; ASININE implies the extreme stupidity conventionally attributed to an ass [an asinine argument ] –ANT. WISE², INTELLIGENT