SILLY Meaning and
Definition
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The term "silly" refers to someone or something that is characterized by a lack of seriousness, common sense, or good judgment. It is often associated with behavior or actions that are amusing, light-hearted, or intended to provoke laughter. Silly can also describe a person who is playfully or innocently foolish, often in a way that is endearing or entertaining.
In terms of appearance or mannerisms, silly can describe someone who engages in playful or exaggerated behavior, perhaps making funny faces, gestures, or sound effects. It can also refer to actions that are seen as being trivial, pointless, or lacking in importance.
Additionally, the term silly can describe statements, ideas, or arguments that are not considered rational or logical. In this context, it suggests a lack of sound judgment or critical thinking.
While silly is generally used in a light-hearted and positive manner, it can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of seriousness or professionalism. However, it is important to note that silliness is often considered a desirable trait in certain contexts, such as comedy or entertainment, as it can bring joy, laughter, and a sense of lightheartedness to a situation.
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Weak in intellect; simple; proceeding from want of understanding or judgment; imprudent; indiscreet.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for SILLY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SILLY
Etymology of SILLY
The word "silly" originated from the Old English word "sǣlig" which meant "blessed, happy, fortunate". Over time, its meaning shifted to "innocent, harmless". Later, in Middle English, the word developed into "seely" which retained the sense of "innocent" but also added elements of "pitiable" and "helpless". Eventually, "seely" evolved into "silly" and took on its current meaning of "foolish, absurd" by the late 14th century.
Idioms with the word SILLY
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(oneself) silly
The idiom "(oneself) silly" means to engage in a particular activity excessively or to an extreme degree that may be considered foolish or unnecessary. It implies that someone is spending extensive time, energy, or resources on something to the point of it being excessive or absurd.
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scream the place down, at scream yourself hoarse/silly
The idiomatic expression "scream the place down" is similar in meaning to "scream yourself hoarse" or "scream yourself silly." It refers to shouting or screaming so loudly and vigorously that it fills the entire space with noise or exhausts one's own voice. It implies a high level of intensity, passion, or excitement in the act of screaming.
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play silly buggers
The idiom "play silly buggers" is an informal expression that means to act foolishly, engage in playful or mischievous behavior, or create unnecessary complications in a situation. It often implies that someone is being intentionally confusing or uncooperative without a valid reason.
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shout (oneself) silly
The idiom "shout (oneself) silly" means to shout or scream loudly and continuously, to the point of exhaustion or losing one's voice. It implies expressing oneself energetically or emphatically through excessive shouting.
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laugh yourself silly
The idiom "laugh yourself silly" means to laugh uncontrollably or excessively, usually to the point of becoming temporarily unable to think or function normally.
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the silly season
The idiom "the silly season" refers to a period of time, typically during the summer or holiday season, when news stories of little importance or frivolous nature dominate the media. It implies a lack of serious or substantial news, often characterized by trivial or absurd stories. The term can also be used more broadly to describe any period of irrational behavior or nonsensical events.
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silly billy
The idiom "silly billy" is a playful and affectionate term used to describe someone as being foolish, silly, or acting in a childlike manner. It is usually used in a lighthearted or teasing way.
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bored silly
The idiom "bored silly" means to be extremely bored, to the point of feeling dull, uninterested, or even mentally drained due to lack of stimulation or interest in one's surroundings or activities.
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drink (oneself) silly
The idiom "drink (oneself) silly" refers to consuming alcohol to such an excessive extent that it leads to a state of being extremely intoxicated or drunk. It implies excessive, irresponsible, or binge drinking.
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laugh yourself silly, at laugh your head off
The idiom "laugh yourself silly" or "laugh your head off" means to laugh very hard, to the point of near hysteria or uncontrollable laughter. It implies that something is extremely funny and causes an individual to laugh to an excessive or extreme degree.
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scream your head off, at scream yourself hoarse/silly
The idiom "scream your head off" or "scream yourself hoarse/silly" refers to expressing extreme, intense emotions or opinions loudly and repeatedly, often with frustration, excitement, or anger. It implies shouting or screaming vigorously to the point where one's voice becomes tired or strained.
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(you) silly goose
The idiom "(you) silly goose" is used to affectionately refer to someone, usually in a lighthearted or playful way, when they have done something funny, foolish, or endearing. It is a light-hearted term of endearment often used to tease or lightly express fondness towards someone.
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drink, laugh, shout, etc. yourself silly
The idiom "drink, laugh, shout, etc. yourself silly" means to engage in an activity excessively or to an extreme extent, resulting in utmost enjoyment, delight, or amusement. It implies that one tends to indulge in the mentioned activity to a level where they become somewhat intoxicated, unable to think or act sensibly, or thoroughly entertained. The phrase often emphasizes the idea of letting go and experiencing great pleasure or excitement without restraint.
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scared silly
Definition:
The idiom "scared silly" means to be extremely frightened or terrified to the point of being unable to think or act rationally.
Example:
The horror movie was so intense that it scared me silly and I couldn't sleep for days.
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scream yourself hoarse/silly
The idiom "scream yourself hoarse/silly" means to shout or scream loudly and continuously to the point of losing one's voice or becoming exhausted. It expresses the idea of extreme or excessive vocalization.
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yourself silly
The idiom "yourself silly" refers to doing something to an excessive or extreme extent, often resulting in exhaustion, overindulgence, or a state of mindlessness. It implies engaging in an activity to the point of physical or mental weariness, sometimes accompanied by a lack of restraint or self-control.
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silly as a goose
The idiom "silly as a goose" refers to somebody who is acting foolish or lacking common sense. It implies that the person's behavior or actions are senseless or irrational, similar to the perceived silliness associated with a goose.
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drink, laugh, etc. yourself silly
The idiom "drink, laugh, etc. yourself silly" means to consume a large amount of something, such as alcohol, or engage in an activity so much that it results in excessive laughter or enjoyment, often to the point of losing control or becoming foolish.
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play (silly) games (with somebody)
The idiom "play (silly) games (with somebody)" refers to someone engaging in manipulative or deceptive behavior towards another person. It means to behave in a way that is not straightforward or sincere, often to gain an advantage, confuse, or deceive the other person involved.
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ask a silly question and you get a silly answer
The idiom "ask a silly question and you get a silly answer" means that if you ask a foolish, obvious, or nonsensical question, you shouldn't expect a serious or intelligent response. Instead, you will likely receive a humorous or sarcastic answer. It highlights the notion that the quality of an answer often aligns with the quality of the question asked.
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laugh oneself silly
The idiom "laugh oneself silly" means to laugh uncontrollably or excessively, to the point of losing composure or feeling overwhelmed by amusement.
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(as) silly as a goose
The idiom "(as) silly as a goose" means to be foolish or ridiculous in behavior or actions. It implies someone who lacks common sense or makes irrational choices. It is derived from the perceived silliness of geese, which are known for their often quirky and seemingly illogical behavior.
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boring, silly, etc. in the extreme
When something is described as "boring, silly, etc. in the extreme," it means that it is excessively dull, ridiculous, or any other negative quality to an utmost degree.
Similar spelling words for SILLY
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