---
title: silly — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «silly» in the school dictionary: Silly means funny in a foolish way: a silly hat. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# silly

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Silly, clown, They, It, many silly faces, I · **What happens:** mean, say, be, wear, tell, buy · **To what, where:** someone, silly foolish person, 3 silly hats, silly jokes, 20 umbrellas, silly mistake · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«silly» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 8 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [silly in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/silly.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Silly means funny in a foolish way: a silly hat.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:m1:1
# text = Silly means funny in a foolish way: a silly hat.
1	Silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	funny	funny	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	foolish	foolish	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	11	punct	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	hat	hat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Silly |  |  |  |  | funny *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Silly means not sensible or not wise: a silly mistake.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:m2:1
# text = Silly means not sensible or not wise: a silly mistake.
1	Silly	silly	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	sensible	sensible	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
6	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	7	advmod	_	_
7	wise	wise	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	11	punct	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	mistake	mistake	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Silly |  |  |  |  | sensible *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Silly» can be said kindly to someone who is being foolish.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:m3:1
# text = «Silly» can be said kindly to someone who is being foolish.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
4	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	6	aux	_	_
5	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	aux:pass	_	_
6	said	say	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
7	kindly	kindly	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
8	to	to	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	obl	_	_
10	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	13	nsubj	_	_
11	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	cop	_	_
12	being	be	AUX	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	13	cop	_	_
13	foolish	foolish	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | can · passive |  |  | someone |  |  | kindly *property* | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V PP.recipient S-Quote»: to someone=Recipient |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | foolish *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A silly can also be a foolish person, often said kindly to someone.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:m4:1
# text = A silly can also be a foolish person, often said kindly to someone.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
2	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	_
4	also	also	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
5	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	cop	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	foolish	foolish	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
10	often	often	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
11	said	say	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	8	acl	_	_
12	kindly	kindly	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
13	to	to	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | can |  | a silly foolish person |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | participle |  | a silly foolish person *not said here* | someone |  |  | kindly, often *property* | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V PP.recipient S-Quote»: agent=Agent to someone=Recipient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The clown wore 3 silly hats.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:x1:1
# text = The clown wore 3 silly hats.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	clown	clown	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	wore	wear	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
5	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	hats	hat	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wear** | past | the clown | 3 silly hats |  |  |  |  | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent hat=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
They told silly jokes for 10 minutes.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:x2:1
# text = They told silly jokes for 10 minutes.
1	They	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	told	tell	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	jokes	joke	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	10	10	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	minutes	minute	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **tell** *speech: assert* | past | They | silly jokes |  |  | minute |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent joke=Recipient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It is silly to buy 20 umbrellas.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:x3:1
# text = It is silly to buy 20 umbrellas.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	buy	buy	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	20	20	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	umbrellas	umbrella	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | It |  |  |  |  | silly *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **buy** | to-infinitive |  | 20 umbrellas |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent umbrella=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
How many silly faces did he draw?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:x4:1
# text = How many silly faces did he draw?
1	How	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	2	advmod	_	_
2	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
3	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	faces	face	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
5	did	do	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
6	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	draw	draw	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **draw** | past · do-support | many silly faces |  |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I made a silly mistake and forgot to carry the one.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:x5:1
# text = I made a silly mistake and forgot to carry the one.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	mistake	mistake	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	forgot	forget	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	carry	carry	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	xcomp	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	one	one	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | I | a silly mistake |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent mistake=Product |
| 2 | **forget** | past | I *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **not** **carry** | to-infinitive | I *not said here* | the one |  |  |  |  | vn carry-11.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent one=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't be silly, it's only a spider.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:x6:1
# text = Don't be silly, it's only a spider.
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
3	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	cop	_	_
4	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
6	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	's	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
8	only	only	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	spider	spider	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **is** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  | silly *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **is a** | present | it | a spider |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The children giggled at the silly song.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:x7:1
# text = The children giggled at the silly song.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	children	child	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	giggled	giggle	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	at	at	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	song	song	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **giggle** | participle · passive |  | the children |  | the silly song |  |  | vn nonverbal\_expression-40.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Well, that was one big silly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silly:x8:1
# text = Well, that was one big silly.
1	Well	well	INTJ	UH	_	7	discourse	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	that	that	PRON	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	7	nsubj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	7	nsubj	_	_
6	big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | that |  |  |  |  | silly *property* | tree rules |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

<!-- pn -->
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