ENGLISH
REFERENCE

absurd

n.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //əbˈsɝd// UK //ɐbsˈɜːd// ab·surd Archaic

n. completely silly, unreasonable, or impossible to believe. You use it when something makes no sense at all.

n. wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate. Often used to describe situations that defy common sense or rational thought.


SIMPLE

The idea that cats can fly is totally absurd.

CONTEXTUAL

It is absurd to expect a single person to finish this entire project in one afternoon.

COMPLEX

The play explores the human condition through an absurd series of events that highlight the lack of inherent meaning in the universe.

Synonyms
Origin

First attested in 1557. From Middle French absurde, from Latin absurdus (“incongruous, dissonant, out of tune”), from ab (“away from, out”) + surdus (“silent, deaf, dull-sounding”). Compare surd.

Usage

Commonly used as a gradable adjective; can be modified by 'completely', 'totally', or 'utterly'.

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