Ludicrous: meaning, definitions and examples

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ludicrous

 

[ ˈluːdɪkrəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

in a joking or humorous manner

So foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing; ridiculous.

Synonyms

absurd, laughable, preposterous, ridiculous, silly.

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Word Description / Examples
ludicrous

Used to describe something so foolish or unreasonable that it is amusing.

  • The idea that aliens built the pyramids is ludicrous
ridiculous

Describes something deserving mockery or derision for being absurd or silly.

  • Wearing a coat in the middle of summer is ridiculous
absurd

Applied to something wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate.

  • It's absurd to think that you can drive from New York to London
preposterous

Used to indicate something that is utterly absurd or ridiculous.

  • It's preposterous to suggest that the Earth is flat
laughable

Describes something so ridiculous or inadequate that it is worthy of being laughed at.

  • His attempt to finish the marathon without training was laughable
silly

Used to describe something that lacks sense or is frivolous, often in a light-hearted manner.

  • It was silly of him to forget his umbrella on a rainy day

Examples of usage

  • That's a ludicrous idea!
  • The whole situation is just ludicrous.
Context #2 | Adjective

in a serious or critical manner

Deserving or inviting derision or mockery; absurd.

Synonyms

absurd, laughable, preposterous, ridiculous, silly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ludicrous

Use this word when something is so foolish or unreasonable that it is hard to take seriously. Often has a slightly stronger tone.

  • The idea of a flying car seemed ludicrous to most people.
ridiculous

Use this word when something is silly or foolish to the point of deserving mockery.

  • His excuse for being late was ridiculous.
absurd

This word is appropriate when something is extremely unreasonable or illogical.

  • It's absurd to think that we can finish this project in one day.
preposterous

Use this word for something that is outlandish or utterly ridiculous, often in a way that shows disbelief or shock.

  • The suggestion that aliens built the pyramids is preposterous.
laughable

Best used when something is so ridiculous that it makes you want to laugh. May have a lighter, more humorous connotation.

  • His attempt to fix the computer was laughable.
silly

This word is great for describing something that is childish or lacking in seriousness. Often has a playful or light-hearted tone.

  • Don't be silly, of course you can do it!

Examples of usage

  • The decision to cut funding for the project is ludicrous.
  • His behavior is absolutely ludicrous.

Translations

Translations of the word "ludicrous" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ridículo

🇮🇳 हास्यास्पद

🇩🇪 lächerlich

🇮🇩 konyol

🇺🇦 смішний

🇵🇱 śmieszny

🇯🇵 ばかげた

🇫🇷 ridicule

🇪🇸 ridículo

🇹🇷 saçma

🇰🇷 터무니없는

🇸🇦 سخيف

🇨🇿 směšný

🇸🇰 smiešny

🇨🇳 荒谬的

🇸🇮 smešen

🇮🇸 hlægilegt

🇰🇿 ақылға қонымсыз

🇬🇪 სასაცილო

🇦🇿 gülməli

🇲🇽 ridículo

Etymology

The word 'ludicrous' originated from the Latin word 'ludicrus', which means 'sportive, playful, or ludicrous'. It entered the English language in the 17th century and has been used to describe something so absurd or ridiculous that it elicits laughter or mockery.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,943, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.