# absurdity

/əbˈsɝdəti/ (US) · /ɐbsˈɜːdɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/absurdity
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the quality of being ridiculous

noun · CEFR B2

the state of being completely silly, unreasonable, or impossible to believe.

For teachers: the quality or state of being ridiculous or wildly unreasonable. Uncountable in this abstract sense.

- He laughed at the absurdity of the situation when he realized he was wearing two different shoes.
- The sheer absurdity of the proposal was evident to everyone in the room, yet no one felt comfortable pointing out its logical flaws.

### 2. an illogical act or statement

noun · CEFR B2

something that is said or done that is totally illogical or makes no sense.

For teachers: a specific act, statement, or situation that is inconsistent with reason or common sense. Countable in this usage.

- The new law was full of absurdities that made it impossible for small businesses to follow.
- The critic spent most of the review highlighting the various absurdities in the plot that rendered the film's climax unbelievable.

## Examples

- The absurdity of the situation made everyone laugh.
- He pointed out the absurdity of having to pay a fee just to apply for a refund.
- The play explores the inherent absurdity of human existence, presenting characters who perform repetitive, meaningless tasks while waiting for a resolution that never arrives.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.