ridiculous

[ ri-dik-yuh-luhs ]

adjective

1. causing or worthy of ridicule or derision; absurd; preposterous; laughable:

   a ridiculous plan.

   Synonyms: farcical, comical, droll, funny, ludicrous, nonsensical

   Antonyms: sensible

2. Slang. absurdly or unbelievably good, bad, crazy, etc.:

   The concert was ridiculous, their best performance ever!

ridiculous

/ rɪˈdɪkjʊləs /

adjective

1. worthy of or exciting ridicule; absurd, preposterous, laughable, or contemptible

Derived Forms

• riˈdiculously, adverb
• riˈdiculousness, noun

Other Words From

• ri·dic·u·lous·ly adverb
• ri·dic·u·lous·ness ri·dic·u·los·i·ty [ri-dik-y, uh, -, los, -i-tee], noun
• hy·per·ri·dic·u·lous adjective
• hy·per·ri·dic·u·lous·ly adverb
• qua·si-ri·dic·u·lous adjective
• qua·si-ri·dic·u·lous·ly adverb
• un·ri·dic·u·lous adjective
• un·ri·dic·u·lous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ridiculous¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin rīdiculōsus “laughable, droll,” equivalent to Latin rīdicul(us), adjective derivative of rīdiculum ridicule ( def ) + -ōsus -ous ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ridiculous¹

C16: from Latin rīdiculōsus , from rīdēre to laugh

Idioms and Phrases

see from the ridiculous to the sublime .

Synonym Study

See absurd.

Example Sentences

“Not only that out-of-place kind of thing, but the way we look at the world. It’s serious, but it’s also ridiculous and absurd. Both of our bands make note of that.”

From Los Angeles Times

In her New York Times interview, Cher explained, “It wasn’t a #MeToo moment because I lied to him. I’m not forgiving him because there were some things he did that were ridiculous.”

From Salon

Later, by email, she told us the accusations were “ridiculous” and based on “false information”.

From BBC

But it’s also thoroughly disarming, boasting an almost ridiculous sense of daring.

From Los Angeles Times

One cabinet source said it was “ridiculous” to expect the health secretary not to give his view.

From BBC

Related Words

• absurd
• bizarre
• fantastic
• foolish
• goofy
• impossible
• incredible
• laughable
• ludicrous
• nonsensical
• outrageous
• preposterous
• silly
• unbelievable
• wacky