English

Noun

follies

1. plural of folly
   • 2014 September 7, “Doddington's garden pyramid is a folly good show: The owners of a Lincolnshire stately home have brought the folly into the 21st century, by building a 30ft pyramid [print edition: Great pyramid of Lincolnshire, 6 September 2014, p. G2]”, in The Daily Telegraph, London:

     It has been a long time since new follies were springing up across the great estates of Britain. But the owners of Doddington Hall, in Lincolnshire, have brought the folly into the 21st century, by building a 30ft pyramid in the grounds of the Elizabethan manor.

2. (uncountable) A lavishly-produced theatrical revue characterized by major stars, huge casts, and opulent costumes and scenery.

   The most famous Broadway theatrical revues of all time were the Ziegfeld Follies.

Usage notes

• The theatrical sense is probably influenced by the French usage, as with the Folies Bergères in Paris.
• The word is not really used any more, but the big Las Vegas shows meet the definition for follies.