foolhardy
pronunciation
How to pronounce foolhardy in British English:
UK [ˈfu:lhɑ:di]
How to pronounce foolhardy in American English:
US [ˈfulhɑrdi]
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- Adjective:
- marked by unthinking boldness; with defiant disregard for danger or consequences
Word Origin
- foolhardy (adj.)
- also fool-hardy, mid-13c., folhardi, from fol "fool" (see fool (n.1) + hardi "bold" (see hardy) hence "foolishly brave, bold without judgement or moderation." Compare Old French fol hardi. Related: foolhardiness (mid-13c.); Middle English also had as a noun foolhardiment (mid-15c.).
Example
- 1. But backers of nuclear power say it would be foolhardy to try .
- 2. Cutting police pay by 30 per cent in such circumstances seems slightly foolhardy .
- 3. It would be foolhardy to listen to them and only natural that china would respond negatively .
- 4. Acquisitions that only a few years ago appeared a tad foolhardy now seem super-smart , if expensive .
- 5. Again , the historical record and the performance of hp 's competitors make it foolhardy to bet any other way .