What does "ridiculous" mean?

1. (silly or foolish) very silly or stupid in a way that makes you want to laugh. 2. (extreme or unbelievable) so extreme, large, or strange that it is hard to believe.

How do you use "ridiculous"?

Often preceded by intensifiers like 'absolutely' or 'completely' to emphasize the degree of disbelief.

ridiculous

adj.

US //ɹɪˈdɪkjəɫəs// UK //ɹɪdˈɪkjʊləs// ridicu·lous

1 silly or foolish (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

very silly or stupid in a way that makes you want to laugh.

deserving of ridicule or mockery due to being absurd, preposterous, or foolish.

Example

It is ridiculous to wear a heavy winter coat at the beach.

Example

The proposal was so ridiculous that the board members struggled to maintain their professional composure during the presentation.
2 extreme or unbelievable (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

so extreme, large, or strange that it is hard to believe.

astonishingly extreme or unbelievable in degree, often used to describe prices, amounts, or situations.

Example

The price of a coffee at the airport was absolutely ridiculous.

Example

The amount of paperwork required for a simple travel visa has become ridiculous over the last few years.

Usage

Often preceded by intensifiers like 'absolutely' or 'completely' to emphasize the degree of disbelief.
- modest
- average

Origin

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