Download the app
educalingo
ridiculous
" There are these boutique writers out there who think if they are not writing their novels sitting at a bistro with their laptops, then they're not real writers. That's ridiculous."
Rick Bragg

Meaning of "ridiculous" in the English dictionary

DICTIONARY

ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD RIDICULOUS

From Latin rīdiculōsus, from rīdēre to laugh.
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in structure and significance.

PRONUNCIATION OF RIDICULOUS

rɪˈdɪkjʊləs


GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF RIDICULOUS

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Ridiculous is an adjective.
The adjective is the word that accompanies the noun to determine or qualify it.

WHAT DOES RIDICULOUS MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Ridiculous

The ridiculous is that which is highly incongruous or inferior, sometimes deliberately so to make people laugh or get their attention, and sometimes unintended so as to be considered laughable and earn or provoke ridicule and derision. It comes from the 1540s Latin "ridiculosus" meaning "laughable", from "ridiculus" meaning "that which excites laughter", and from "ridere" meaning "to laugh". "Ridiculous" is an adjective describing "the ridiculous". In common usage, "ridiculousness" is used as a synonym for absurdity or nonsense. From a historical and technical viewpoint, "absurdity" is associated with invalid argumentation and reasoning, "nonsense" with semantics and meaning, while "ridiculous" is most associated with laughter, superiority, deformity, and incongruity. Reductio ad absurdum is a valid method of argument, while reductio ad ridiculum is invalid. Argument by invective declaration of ridiculous is invalid, while arguments involving declarations of nonsense may summarize a cogent semantic problem with lack or meaning or ambiguity.

Definition of ridiculous in the English dictionary

The definition of ridiculous in the dictionary is worthy of or exciting ridicule; absurd, preposterous, laughable, or contemptible.

WORDS THAT RHYME WITH RIDICULOUS

apiculus · calycle · calyculus · canaliculus · cavernicolous · colliculus · fasciculus · folliculous · fonticulus · funiculus · meticulous · monticulous · monticulus · panniculus · pediculous · periculous · proventriculus · utriculus · ventriculus · vermiculous

WORDS THAT BEGIN LIKE RIDICULOUS

ridgy-didge · ridic · ridicule · ridiculer · ridiculously · ridiculousness · riding · riding boots · riding breeches · riding crop · riding habit · riding high · riding jacket · riding lamp · riding light · riding master · riding school · riding stable · riding stables · riding whip

WORDS THAT END LIKE RIDICULOUS

bibulous · cellulous · crapulous · credulous · edentulous · fabulous · fantabulous · garrulous · ghetto fabulous · incredulous · jealous · miraculous · nebulous · pendulous · populous · querulous · scrofulous · scrupulous · tremulous · tuberculous · unscrupulous

Synonyms and antonyms of ridiculous in the English dictionary of synonyms

SYNONYMS

SYNONYMS OF «RIDICULOUS»

The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «ridiculous» and belong to the same grammatical category.

Translation of «ridiculous» into 25 languages

TRANSLATOR

TRANSLATION OF RIDICULOUS

Find out the translation of ridiculous to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.

The translations of ridiculous from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «ridiculous» in English.
zh

Translator English - Chinese

荒谬的
1,325 millions of speakers
es

Translator English - Spanish

ridículo
570 millions of speakers
en

English

ridiculous
510 millions of speakers
hi

Translator English - Hindi

हास्यास्पद
380 millions of speakers
ar

Translator English - Arabic

تافِه
280 millions of speakers
ru

Translator English - Russian

смехотворный
278 millions of speakers
pt

Translator English - Portuguese

ridículo
270 millions of speakers
bn

Translator English - Bengali

হাস্যকর
260 millions of speakers
fr

Translator English - French

ridicule
220 millions of speakers
ms

Translator English - Malay

Tidak masuk akal
190 millions of speakers
de

Translator English - German

lächerlich
180 millions of speakers
ja

Translator English - Japanese

ばかげた
130 millions of speakers
ko

Translator English - Korean

웃기는
85 millions of speakers
jv

Translator English - Javanese

Ridiculous
85 millions of speakers
vi

Translator English - Vietnamese

lố bịch
80 millions of speakers
ta

Translator English - Tamil

கேலிக்குரிய
75 millions of speakers
mr

Translator English - Marathi

हास्यास्पद
75 millions of speakers
tr

Translator English - Turkish

gülünç
70 millions of speakers
it

Translator English - Italian

ridicolo
65 millions of speakers
pl

Translator English - Polish

śmieszny
50 millions of speakers
uk

Translator English - Ukrainian

безглуздий
40 millions of speakers
ro

Translator English - Romanian

ridicol
30 millions of speakers
el

Translator English - Greek

γελοίος
15 millions of speakers
af

Translator English - Afrikaans

belaglik
14 millions of speakers
sv

Translator English - Swedish

löjlig
10 millions of speakers
no

Translator English - Norwegian

latterlig
5 millions of speakers

Trends of use of ridiculous

TRENDS

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «RIDICULOUS»

Principal search tendencies and common uses of ridiculous
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «ridiculous».

Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about ridiculous

EXAMPLES

10 QUOTES WITH «RIDICULOUS»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word ridiculous.
1
Enid Bagnold
In marriage there are no manners to keep up, and beneath the wildest accusations no real criticism. Each is familiar with that ancient child in the other who may erupt again. We are not ridiculous to ourselves. We are ageless. That is the luxury of the wedding ring.
2
Joanna Baillie
I have seen the day, when, if a man made himself ridiculous, the world would laugh at him. But now, everything that is mean, disgusting, and absurd, pleases them but so much the better!
3
Gareth Bale
Between 12 and 14, I shot up a ridiculous amount. The muscles were struggling to stretch and grow at the rate my bones were growing. It gave me problems with my back and my hamstrings.
4
Eric Bana
When I go on the plane to fly home, I'm literally capable of forgetting what I do for a job. That also comes about because I choose to take massive breaks between projects, and because I choose to do this ridiculous thing of keeping home, home.
5
Emmanuelle Beart
If I have one thing perfect, it's my eyebrows. And my feet. I love my feet. They're like Japanese feet. The rest I would like to hide. Especially my freckles. I feel ridiculous.
6
Guy Berryman
At school, there was an annual school disco and I'd be standing in my bedroom wondering what to wear for hours on end. Eventually I'd arrive at a decision that was just the most ridiculous costume you could have ever devised - I think it was probably knitted Christmas jumpers on top of buttoned-up white shirts.
7
Jim Bishop
It is difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.
8
David Blaine
Whether you're shuffling a deck of cards or holding your breath, magic is pretty simple: It comes down to training, practice, and experimentation, followed up by ridiculous pursuit and relentless perseverance.
9
Rick Bragg
There are these boutique writers out there who think if they are not writing their novels sitting at a bistro with their laptops, then they're not real writers. That's ridiculous.
10
Jim Broadbent
It's fatal to talk about acting. It sounds faintly ridiculous if you start analysing it.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «RIDICULOUS»

Discover the use of ridiculous in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to ridiculous and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
Ridiculous!
Instead of hibernating with her parents, a young turtle decides to explore the winter world outside their shed.
Michael Coleman, 1996
2
"You Look Ridiculous," Said the Rhinoceros to the Hippopotamus
A hippopotamus learns that it is better to stay herself and be content with her own features.
Bernard Waber, 1966
3
Ridiculous Faith: Ordinary People Living Extraordinary Lives
You are about to experience so many answered prayers that your friends will insist you have ridiculous faith!
Shundrawn Thomas, 2006
4
The Ridiculous Race
A satirical travelogue by a pair of television comedy writers recounts their competition to travel around the world in opposite directions without the benefit of airplanes, dual journeys they took by ocean freighter, railway, and other ...
Steve Hely, Vali Chandrasekaran, 2008
5
Ridiculous Riddles
"Dozens of riddles, each more ridiculous than the last!"--P. [4] of cover.
Chris Tait, 2003
6
The Ridiculous Jew: The Exploitation and Transformation of a ...
This book is a study devoted to exploring the use of a Russian version of the Jewish stereotype (the ridiculous Jew) in the works of three of the greatest writers of the nineteenth century.
Gary Rosenshield, 2008
7
Ridiculous Tongue Twisters
A collection of tongue twisters from a "Professor, Tonguetwisticus," such as "she says she saw it" and "whistle with a little lisp!"
Chris Tait, 2005
8
The AIDS Crisis is Ridiculous and Other Writings: 1986-2003
A first compilation of essays and writings by a leading artist and activist reflects diverse aspects of the AIDS epidemic, in a collection that captures the sense of fear engendered by the early days of the AIDS crisis, the experience of ...
Gregg Bordowitz, 2004
9
Brawl Ridiculous: Swordfighting in Shakespeare's Plays
"Brawl ridiculous offers a new and fascinating perspective on the swordfighting sequences in Shakespeare's plays.
Charles Edelman, 1992
10
Ridiculous Dietary Allowance
Current official recommendations for nutrient intakes are inappropriate. As this book demonstrates, the recommended dietary intake for vitamin C owes more to politics and prejudice than to science.
Steve Hickey, Hilary Roberts, 2005

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «RIDICULOUS»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term ridiculous is used in the context of the following news items.
1
Topshop To Stop Using 'Ridiculous' Mannequins
Laura Berry posted a photograph of a mannequin in a Topshop store in Bristol, criticising its "ridiculous" shape and calling on the retailer to be more "responsible ... «Sky News, Jul 15»
2
Adam Sandler on 'Ridiculous 6' Controversy: 'Just a Misunderstanding'
Three months after Native American extras stormed off the set of Adam Sandler's The Ridiculous 6 over what they considered culturally offensive humor, the ... «RollingStone.com, Jul 15»
3
Adam Sandler's Netflix Comedy 'Ridiculous Six' Gets Release Date
11, release date for Ridiculous Six, its Adam Sandler comedy that is among the high-profile movies the streaming service is making as a big push into feature ... «Hollywood Reporter, Jul 15»
4
Joe Root labels David Warner excuse for confrontation 'ridiculous'
"Disappointing to have my character questioned - those who know me realise how ridiculous Warner's excuse for hitting me sounds but that's his choice to try ... «Stuff.co.nz, Jul 15»
5
How Ridiculous set new world record
The team from Internet sensation 'How Ridiculous' have smashed their world record this week on Seven's Sunday Night program, by sinking a hoop from the top ... «Yahoo7 News, Jun 15»
6
Tokyo governor hits out at 'ridiculous' 2020 bill
"If it's about this ridiculous figure that's been submitted to the prime minister's office, then he shouldn't bother coming over for an explanation." Japan are looking ... «Reuters, May 15»
7
Makeup crew on Adam Sandler's 'Ridiculous Six' darkened actors …
Adam Sandler's first movie for Netflix may be shaping up as the comic actor's own Battle of the Little Bighorn. The makeup department on "Ridiculous Six" has ... «New York Daily News, May 15»
8
'Ridiculous 6' flap again exposes Sandler's mean side
On April 22 and 23, a Native American cultural advisor and several Native performers and extras walked off the set of “The Ridiculous 6,” a Netflix-produced ... «Chicago Tribune, Apr 15»
9
Abigail Breslin Slams 'Ridiculous' Coverage Of Selena Gomez's …
Big props go out to Abigail Breslin for taking a stand against cruel critics who have been picking apart photos of Selena Gomez, claiming she's gained weight. «Huffington Post, Apr 15»
10
15 ridiculous reasons kids refuse to eat their food
The results are a laugh-out-loud collection of images. Below, we highlight a few of those as we bring you 15 ridiculous reasons kids refuse to eat their food. «SFGate, Apr 15»
REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Ridiculous [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/ridiculous>. May 2024 ».
Download the educalingo app
EN