Is Foolish Adjective, Noun, or Adverb? 5 Complete Facts

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Adjectives, nouns, and adverbs are three major parts of speech. Let us find out the category to which the word “foolish” belongs.

The word “foolish” is an adjective. As an adjective, it modifies a noun or pronoun to add more meaning to them.

Now it is time to delve deep into the role of the word “foolish” with some relevant facts and examples.

When is “foolish” an adjective?

The word “foolish” is certainly an adjective. Now we will learn when is “foolish” an adjective.

“Foolish” is considered to be an adjective when it can add more description to a noun so that it can convey meaning precisely.

The below examples will help to imbibe the concept more accurately.

ExamplesExplanations
1. He laughed at her foolish idea.By adding the word “foolish” to the noun ‘idea’, it is made clear that her idea was not having discretion or it was silly. Thus as an adjective, it conveyed the precise meaning.
2. Arun was foolish enough to accept that offer.By using the word “foolish” as an adjective along with the noun, we came to know that  Arun was lacking discretion or was thoughtless when he accepted the offer.  
Examples of “foolish” as an adjective

Is “foolish” a descriptive adjective?

We have found out that the word foolish is an adjective. Now we will find out if “foolish” is a descriptive adjective.

“Foolish” is a descriptive adjective. It is said to be a descriptive adjective because as an adjective it gives information about the quality of the noun.

Below are examples of “foolish” as a descriptive adjective.

ExamplesExplanations.
1. My foolish thought put me in trouble.Here, the word “foolish” is a descriptive adjective because it provides the quality of the noun ‘thought’. The thought is stupid or lacks good sense.
2. He does not make foolish comments The word “foolish” is a descriptive adjective because it describes the quality of the comment. The comment lacks good judgment.
3. I regret my foolish decision.The word “foolish” is a descriptive adjective since it describes the decision as something thoughtless.
4. He was not a foolish boy.As a descriptive adjective, the word “foolish” expresses the quality of the boy. It conveys that the boy has good sense and he is not silly.
5. I ignore his foolish remarks.Here the word “ foolish” functions as a descriptive adjective by expressing the quality of the noun ‘remarks’ as lacking sense.
6. Ann does not worry about such foolish thingsAs a descriptive adjective, the word  “foolish” describes the quality of the noun ‘things’ as silly.
7. That was a foolish suggestion.As a descriptive adjective, the word “foolish” helped to convey the quality of the noun ‘suggestion’ as lacking good contribution.
Examples of “foolish” as a descriptive adjective

Is “foolish” a noun?

 The word “foolish” fits perfectly in the category of adjectives. Let us find out if “foolish” is a noun.

“Foolish” is not a noun. It is not a noun because it does not fit in the definition of a noun which is a word that identifies a person, a thing, or a place. ‘Foolishness’ is the noun.

What is the noun form of “foolish”?

“Foolishness” is the noun form of foolish. It is used to convey the state of being foolish.

Example: Ann laughed at her brother’s foolishness.

Explanation: In the above sentence, we cannot use ‘foolish’ instead of “foolishness’’. Here “foolishness” functions as a noun.

Is “foolish” an adverb?

 The word “foolish” is certainly an adjective. Let us find out if it is an adverb.

“Foolish” is not an adverb. It is not an adverb since it cannot be used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb like other adverbs do.

What is the adverbial form of “foolish”?

 “Foolishly” is the adverbial form of “foolish”.As an adverb, it conveys the lack of judgment in an action.

Example: To my surprise, Alex acted foolishly.

Explanation: We cannot use the word “foolish” instead of “foolishly”. To modify the verb ‘acted’, we must use the adverb “foolishly”.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it is clear that the word “foolish” is accepted as an adjective. Moreover, it functions perfectly as a descriptive adjective. Further, it cannot be used as a noun or as an adverb.

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