English Reference
Adjective

nonsensical

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /nɑnˈsɛnsɪkəɫ/ UK /nˌɒnsˈɛnzɪkəl/ non·sen·si·cal

adj.having no meaning or sense. You use this to describe something that is so strange or illogical that it is hard to understand.

adj.lacking a logical or meaningful structure; absurd or meaningless. Often used to describe arguments, statements, or behaviors that defy reason.


SIMPLE

The instructions were so nonsensical that I couldn't follow them.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician's latest speech was filled with nonsensical claims that made no sense to the audience.

COMPLEX

The critic argued that the film's plot was a series of nonsensical events that failed to connect with any coherent theme or narrative arc.

He’s hosting a TV baking gameshow that uses no ovens, so it’s completely nonsensical.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026

It’s not like I care for the nonsensical storyline, or the dubstep editing, or the ham acting.

The Guardian· 24 Aug 2026

From nonsense + -ical.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated