ENGLISH
REFERENCE

laughable

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫæfəbəɫ// UK //lˈɑːfəbəl// laugh·able Archaic
Definition

adj. so silly or bad that it is impossible to take seriously. You use this to describe something that deserves to be laughed at because it is ridiculous.

adj. deserving of ridicule or derision; so absurd as to be unworthy of serious consideration.


SIMPLE

The suggestion that I would cheat is laughable.

CONTEXTUAL

The company's offer of a one percent pay rise was laughable given the high rate of inflation.

COMPLEX

The defendant's claim that he had never seen the weapon before was laughable in light of the overwhelming forensic evidence presented by the prosecution.

Origin

From laugh + -able.

Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'become'.

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