different between foolish vs laughable

English

Etymology

From Middle English folisch; equivalent to fool +? -ish.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?fu?.l??/

Adjective

foolish (comparative foolisher or more foolish, superlative foolishest or most foolish)

1. (of a person, an action, etc.) Lacking good sense or judgement; unwise.
2. Resembling or characteristic of a fool.

Synonyms

• absurd
• idiotic
• ridiculous
• silly
• unwise

Antonyms

• wise

Derived terms

• a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds
• foolishly
• foolishness

Translations

English

Etymology

From laugh +? -able.

Pronunciation

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /?la?f?bl?/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /?l??f?bl?/, /?læf?bl?/
• (US) enPR: ?l?f?bl?, IPA^(key): /?læf?bl?/

Adjective

laughable (comparative more laughable, superlative most laughable)

1. (now rare) Fitted to excite laughter; humorous.
   • 1808–10, William Hickey, Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, Folio Society 1995, p. 91:

     At this our first dinner at the Government House a very laughable incident occurred.

2. Worthless; worthy of contempt or derision.

Synonyms

• droll, ludicrous, mirthful, comical, risible, ridiculous

Derived terms

• laughableness
• laughably

Translations