ENGLISH
REFERENCE

absurdism

n.
C1 Advanced ab·sur·dism

n. a way of thinking that says life has no real meaning or purpose. It often uses strange or silly ideas to show how people feel lost in a world that doesn't make sense.

n. a philosophical and literary movement that posits the inherent meaninglessness of human existence and the universe. It often employs irrational or illogical elements to reflect the absurdity of the human condition.


SIMPLE

The play uses absurdism to show the futility of human effort.

CONTEXTUAL

The author's use of absurdism challenges the reader to find meaning in a world where none seems to exist.

COMPLEX

While existentialism focuses on the individual's struggle to create meaning, absurdism accepts the lack of inherent purpose and often embraces the resulting chaos as a source of creative freedom.

Origin

From absurd + -ism (“doctrine, theory”).

© 2026 English Reference