Word
farcical
Phoneticsfar·ci·cal, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɑɹsəkəɫ/
UK/fˈɑːsɪkəl/
Definition
adj. very silly and unreasonable, like a joke that no one can take seriously.
adj. resembling a farce; absurdly ludicrous and unworthy of serious consideration. Often describes situations, trials, or attempts that fail through incompetence or absurdity.
Examples
“The meeting becomes farcical when no one follows the rules.”
“The trial turns farcical when the main witness forgets his own name on the stand.”
“After three recounts, lost ballots, and contradictory announcements, the election process looks farcical to outside observers.”
Examples
simple
“The meeting becomes farcical when no one follows the rules.”
contextual
“The trial turns farcical when the main witness forgets his own name on the stand.”
complex
“After three recounts, lost ballots, and contradictory announcements, the election process looks farcical to outside observers.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “farcical” in context.
Verb
01. become farcical
“The meeting became farcical when nobody could agree on the agenda.”
verb + adj
02. border on farcical
“The negotiations bordered on farcical after the fifth walkout.”
verb + prep + adj
03. consider farcical
“Critics consider the new policy farcical and impossible to enforce.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. absolutely farcical
“It was absolutely farcical to hold an election with only one candidate.”
adv + adj
05. almost farcical
“The delay to the trial was almost farcical after three postponements.”
adv + adj
06. downright farcical
“The security checks at the airport were downright farcical yesterday.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. farcical attempt
“His farcical attempt to deny the scandal fooled nobody.”
adj + noun
08. farcical comedy
“The play is a classic farcical comedy of mistaken identities.”
adj + noun
09. farcical election
“Without independent monitors, the vote was a farcical election.”
adj + noun
10. farcical proceedings
“Lawyers walked out in protest at the farcical proceedings.”
adj + noun
11. border on the farcical
“The parliamentary debate bordered on the farcical after repeated interruptions.”
12. descend into farcical chaos
“The press briefing descended into farcical chaos within minutes.”
Usage
Often used before nouns like 'situation' or after linking verbs like 'become' and 'seem'.
Etymology
From farce + -ical, after comical etc.
From farcy + -ical.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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