absurd

American  

[uhb-surd, -zurd] / əbˈsɜrd, -ˈzɜrd /

adjective

1. utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue; contrary to all reason or common sense; laughably foolish or false.

   an absurd explanation.

   Synonyms:

   nonsensical, ludicrous, silly, irrational

   Antonyms:

   sensible, logical

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noun

1. the quality or condition of existing in a meaningless and irrational world.

absurd British  

/ əbˈsɜːd /

adjective

1. at variance with reason; manifestly false

2. ludicrous; ridiculous

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noun

1. (sometimes capital) philosophy the conception of the world, esp in Existentialist thought, as neither designed nor predictable but irrational and meaningless

Related Words

Absurd, ridiculous, preposterous all mean inconsistent with reason or common sense. Absurd means utterly opposed to truth or reason: an absurd claim. Ridiculous implies that something is fit only to be laughed at, perhaps contemptuously: a ridiculous suggestion. Preposterous implies an extreme of foolishness: a preposterous proposal.

Other Word Forms

• absurdity noun
• absurdly adverb
• absurdness noun
• superabsurd adjective
• superabsurdly adverb
• superabsurdness noun

Etymology

Origin of absurd

First recorded in 1550–60, absurd is from the Latin word absurdus out of tune, uncouth, ridiculous. See ab-, surd

Related Words

• crazy
• foolish
• goofy
• illogical
• irrational
• laughable
• ludicrous
• nonsensical
• preposterous
• silly
• stupid
• unreasonable
• wacky