tomfoolery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Informal, somewhat literary/archaic
Quick answer
What does “tomfoolery” mean?
Silly or foolish behavior.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Silly or foolish behavior.
Playful, nonsensical, or trivial actions lacking in seriousness or sense; often implies harmless mischief.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. It is understood and used similarly in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it is slightly old-fashioned but still in productive use, often for humorous or ironic effect.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but not markedly so.
Grammar
How to Use “tomfoolery” in a Sentence
[Verb] Engage in tomfoolery[Adj] Such tomfoolery[Prep] Tomfoolery with [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tomfoolery” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was tomfooling about with the equipment and broke it.
- Stop tomfooling and pay attention!
American English
- Quit tomfooling around and get to work.
- They spent the afternoon tomfooling on the lawn.
adverb
British English
- He grinned tomfoolishly from behind the curtain.
- They acted tomfoolishly throughout the ceremony.
American English
- She winked tomfoolishly at the camera.
- He danced tomfoolishly across the stage.
adjective
British English
- His tomfool antics landed him in detention.
- It was a moment of tomfool bravery.
American English
- I'm tired of his tomfool pranks.
- She gave him a tomfool grin.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used to dismiss unproductive or unserious behavior in meetings. 'We need data, not marketing tomfoolery.'
Academic
Very rare, except perhaps in historical or literary analysis describing behavior.
Everyday
Used to describe children's silly play or adults acting immaturely. 'Put an end to that tomfoolery and help me.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tomfoolery”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tomfoolery”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tomfoolery”
- Using it to describe serious wrongdoing. It is not a synonym for 'vandalism' or 'malice.'
- Overusing it in formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not offensive. It is mildly critical but often used in a fond or humorous way to describe silly behavior.
It is generally too informal for most formal writing (e.g., academic papers, official reports). It might appear in journalistic or literary contexts for stylistic effect.
They are very close synonyms. 'Shenanigans' can sometimes imply slightly more mischievous or secretive plans, while 'tomfoolery' leans more toward open, silly foolishness.
No, the verb forms ('tomfool', 'tomfooling') are archaic and very rare in modern English. The noun 'tomfoolery' is the standard and only common form today.
Silly or foolish behavior.
Tomfoolery: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtɒmˈfuːləri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtɑːmˈfuːləri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly incorporating 'tomfoolery'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Tom Fool' + '-ery'. A 'Tom Fool' is an archaic term for a simpleton or clown, so 'tomfoolery' is the behavior of such a person.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOLISH BEHAVIOR IS CLOWNING AROUND / CHILD'S PLAY.
Practice
Quiz
Which situation best exemplifies 'tomfoolery'?