fatuity

noun

fa·​tu·​i·​ty fə-ˈtü-ət-ē How to pronounce fatuity (audio)
fa-,
-ˈchü-,
-ˈtyü-
plural fatuities
1
a
: something foolish or stupid
2
archaic : the condition of being affected with intellectual disability or dementia

Examples of fatuity in a Sentence

the fatuity of these policies politicians exchanging fatuities about the need for campaign reform
Recent Examples on the Web Despite the fatuity of the arguments being posited by the ESG critics, the investment industry is running scared. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2022 Molière escapes fatuity with his candor that what restores a universe unbalanced by intellectual obsession is, most often, normal erotic appetite. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2022 Their work, in and out of power, is to dress up the atavistic avarice and self-serving fatuity of the wealthy people who fund and shape conservative politics as an ideology. David Roth, The New Republic, 9 June 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fatuity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French fatuité foolishness, from Latin fatuitat-, fatuitas, from fatuus

First Known Use

circa 1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatuity was circa 1548

Dictionary Entries Near fatuity

Cite this Entry

“Fatuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatuity. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

fatuity

noun
fa·​tu·​ity fə-ˈt(y)ü-ət-ē How to pronounce fatuity (audio) fa- How to pronounce fatuity (audio)
plural fatuities
1
: something foolish or stupid
2
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