# ridiculously

/ɹəˈdɪkjəɫəsɫi/ (US) · /ɹɪdˈɪkjʊləsli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ridiculously
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. extremely

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

used to emphasize that something is much more than usual, often in a way that seems unfair or silly.

For teachers: used as an intensifier to indicate an extreme or excessive degree that borders on the absurd.

- The rent for this tiny apartment is ridiculously expensive for this neighborhood.
- The project deadline was ridiculously tight, leaving the engineering team with no choice but to work through the entire weekend.

Usage: Usually placed before an adjective or another adverb.

### 2. in a silly way

adverb · CEFR B2

in a way that is stupid, funny, or makes no sense.

For teachers: in a manner that invites derision, mockery, or disbelief due to its lack of logic or dignity.

- He was dressed ridiculously in a giant chicken costume for the office party.
- The witness behaved ridiculously during the cross-examination, undermining his own credibility with a series of increasingly implausible excuses.

Usage: Often modifies a verb to describe the manner of an action.

## Examples

- The tickets for the concert were ridiculously expensive.
- He arrived ridiculously early for the meeting, sitting in the lobby for nearly an hour before anyone else appeared.
- The plot of the movie was ridiculously complicated, requiring the audience to track dozens of minor characters whose motivations were never fully explained by the script.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.