absurd

The word “absurd” means so unreasonable or illogical that it seems ridiculous. In plain terms, ridiculously unreasonable or illogical — often used for situations that are almost funny in how wrong they are.

“Absurd” is pronounced uhb-SURD (/æbˈsɚd/ in IPA).

Here is “absurd” used in a sentence: “It would be absurd to walk five miles when the bus stops outside.”

Words with a similar meaning to “absurd” include Laputan, cockamamie, cockeyed, farcical, foolish and full of it.

“Absurd” is an adjective.

The word “absurd” comes from Latin. From Latin absurdus, "out of tune" or "incongruous," formed from ab- ("away from") plus surdus ("deaf, dull-sounding") — related to the word "surd.".

“Absurd” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

Both describe something laughably unreasonable, but "absurd" stresses a clash with logic or common sense, while "ridiculous" stresses that something deserves mockery or laughter. An idea can be absurd because it makes no logical sense and ridiculous because it invites scorn.

Both mean so unreasonable as to be laughable, but "ludicrous" tends to emphasise how comically ridiculous something is, while "absurd" emphasises its lack of logic or reason. "Ludicrous" often feels stronger and more scornful.

"Absurd" means so illogical or unreasonable that it seems ridiculous, while "surreal" means strange and dreamlike, as if not quite real. Something surreal feels bizarre and unreal, whereas something absurd defies logic or sense.

"Absurd" frequently pairs with nouns like "idea," "claim," "notion," "situation," and "amount," as in "an absurd amount of money." It is often intensified with adverbs such as "utterly," "completely," and "patently."