# fool's errand

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A foolish undertaking, especially one that is purposeless, fruitless, nonsensical, or certain to fail.
2. Such an undertaking, assigned as a prank.

## Etymology
18th century.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/fool-s-errand