ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ridiculous

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ɹɪˈdɪkjəɫəs// UK //ɹɪdˈɪkjʊləs// ridicu·lous General-service Informal

adj. very silly or stupid in a way that makes you want to laugh. You use this when something makes no sense or is completely unfair.

adj. deserving or inviting derision or mockery; absurd. Often used to express strong disapproval of an unreasonable situation or price.


SIMPLE

It is ridiculous to pay ten dollars for a bottle of water.

CONTEXTUAL

The meeting was delayed for two hours because of a ridiculous argument over who should sit where.

COMPLEX

While the premise of the play seemed ridiculous at first, the actors performed with such sincerity that the audience eventually accepted the surreal logic of the plot.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Latin rīdiculus (“laughable, ridiculous”); Equivalent to ridicule + -ous.

Usage

Commonly used as a predicative adjective after 'be' or 'look'.

Pitfall

It is a ridiculousness ideaIt is a ridiculous ideaLearners sometimes confuse the adjective 'ridiculous' with the noun 'ridiculousness'.

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