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Definitions

silly

[sil-ee] / ˈsɪl i /
ADJECTIVE
absurd, giddy, foolish
Synonyms
STRONGEST
childish crazy frivolous idiotic inappropriate irresponsible ludicrous nonsensical pointless preposterous ridiculous simple stupid
STRONG
empty irrational
WEAK
asinine balmy brainless dippy dizzy empty-headed fatuous featherbrained flighty foolhardy harebrained ignorant illogical immature imprudent inane inconsistent meaningless muddle-headed nitwitted puerile senseless sheepheaded simpleminded unintelligent unreasonable unwise vacuous witless
Antonyms
STRONGEST
intelligent mature reasonable responsible sensible serious smart wise
WEAK
practical

Usage

What are other ways to say silly? Silly denotes extreme and conspicuous foolishness; it may also refer to pointlessness of jokes, remarks, etc.: silly and senseless behavior; a perfectly silly statement. Inane applies to silliness that is notably lacking in content, sense, or point: inane questions that leave one with no reply. Foolish implies a lack of common sense or good judgment or, sometimes, a weakness of mind: a foolish decision; The child seems foolish. Fatuous implies being not only foolish, dull, and vacant in mind, but complacent and highly self-satisfied as well: fatuous and self-important; fatuous answers. Stupid implies natural slowness or dullness of intellect, or, sometimes, a benumbed or dazed state of mind; it is also used to mean foolish or silly: He was rendered stupid by a blow; It is stupid to do such a thing. Asinine originally meant like an ass; it applies to witlessly stupid conversations or conduct and suggests a lack of social grace or perception: He failed to notice the reaction to his asinine remarks.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was knocked silly from the body blows the Lakers applied from all sides, holding him to just one basket in a second half that was a defensive coaching masterpiece.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

In an essay for this year's Proms programme, he admitted that some of the genre's "excesses and follies can seem silly" to a modern eye, while insisting the genre shouldn't be written off.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

“It’s silly and funny. It’s like, ‘Let your freak flag fly,’” Cohn said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

"And then, of course, there's the funny and practical, how to eat, how to do silly things with water, how to flip around. We're bringing that with us too."

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Dad makes a silly face and whispers, “Sheesh,” but it strikes me as sad, not funny, that this kid yells the same stuff he’s heard his father say.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison