ENGLISH
REFERENCE

absurdity

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //əbˈsɝdəti// UK //ɐbsˈɜːdɪti// ab·sur·di·ty Archaic

n. the quality of being completely ridiculous or not making any sense. You use this to describe a situation that is so strange or silly that it is hard to believe.

n. the quality or state of being extremely unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous. Often used to describe situations that defy common sense or rational explanation.


SIMPLE

The absurdity of the situation made everyone laugh.

CONTEXTUAL

He pointed out the absurdity of having to pay a fee just to apply for a refund.

COMPLEX

The play explores the inherent absurdity of human existence, presenting characters who perform repetitive, meaningless tasks while waiting for a resolution that never arrives.

Synonyms
Origin

First attested around 1472. From Middle English absurdite, then from either Middle French absurdité, or from Late Latin absurditas (“dissonance, incongruity”), from Latin absurdus + -itas (“quality, state, degree”). Equivalent to absurd + -ity.

Usage

Functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the general quality; functions as a countable noun when referring to a specific instance or act.

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