Ridiculous

Definition

Ridiculous describes something that is so absurd, unreasonable, or incongruous that it provokes laughter, mockery, or disbelief.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /rɪˈdɪkjələs/
• Respelling: ri-DIK-yə-ləs

British English

• IPA: /rɪˈdɪkjʊləs/
• Respelling: ri-DIK-yu-ləs

Etymology

Early 17th century: from Latin ridiculus “laughable,” from ridere “to laugh.”

Derivatives

• ridiculously (adverb)
• ridiculousness (noun)
• unridiculous (adjective)

Synonyms

• absurd
• preposterous
• ludicrous
• laughable
• outrageous

Antonyms

• reasonable
• sensible
• rational
• logical
• plausible

Usage

"It’s ridiculous to expect us to finish the project in one day."

"Charging that much for a sandwich is simply ridiculous."

Related Terms

• Absurdity: The quality or state of being ridiculous or wildly unreasonable.
• Ludicrous: So foolish or out of place as to be amusing.
• Preposterous: Contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd.
• Mockery: Ridicule or contemptuous treatment.
• Incongruous: Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• So absurd or foolish that it is laughable or deserving of mockery: Something so absurd or foolish that it provokes laughter or mockery.
  • Example: "The proposal to build a skyscraper in that small town was utterly ridiculous."
• Excessively unreasonable or disproportionate: A situation or demand that is so unreasonable or out of proportion that it defies logic.
  • Example: "It’s ridiculous to charge people double for the same service."
• Informal usage to emphasize an extreme degree (often positive): Used colloquially to stress that something is exceptionally or astonishingly extreme.
  • Example: "The movie was ridiculously entertaining."

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