different between foolish vs piffle

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

Unknown, 1847. Perhaps blend of piddle +? trifle, perhaps puff (“(onomatopoeia, puff of air)”) +? -le (“diminutive”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?p?f.?l/
• Rhymes: -?f?l

Noun

piffle (uncountable)

1. Nonsense, foolish talk.
   • 1998, The Economist, Walking: More than gadding about

     The wafflier the piffle, the more sharply Mr Nicholson wields his skewer.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:nonsense

Translations

Verb

piffle (third-person singular simple present piffles, present participle piffling, simple past and past participle piffled)

1. To act or speak in a futile, ineffective, or nonsensical manner.
2. To waste, to fritter away.
3. (dated) To be squeamish or delicate.

Synonyms

• (act or speak in a futile manner): trifle, twaddle

Translations

References