Word
absurdly
Phoneticsab·surd·ly, stress on the second syllable
US/əbˈsɝdɫi/
UK/ɐbsˈɜːdli/
Definition
adv. in a way that is very strange, silly, or impossible to believe. You use this to show that something is so extreme it is almost funny.
adv. in a manner that is highly unreasonable, illogical, or difficult to believe. Often used for emphasis to highlight an extreme or ridiculous degree.
Examples
“The prices for these luxury cars are absurdly high.”
“The rules of the game are so complicated that they are absurdly difficult to follow.”
“The politician's claim that the economy was thriving was absurdly disconnected from the reality of rising unemployment and falling wages across the country.”
Examples
simple
“The prices for these luxury cars are absurdly high.”
contextual
“The rules of the game are so complicated that they are absurdly difficult to follow.”
complex
“The politician's claim that the economy was thriving was absurdly disconnected from the reality of rising unemployment and falling wages across the country.”
Real-World Examples
“But tracking down the one responsible for touch turned out to be absurdly difficult.” “Absurdly, Alex Neil has already come under some pressure after a couple of losses.” Etymology
From absurd + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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