absurd
uhb-SURD
Absurd (adj) means So unreasonable or illogical that it seems ridiculous. Example: “It seems absurd to pay more for postage than for the book itself.”
adj
1
So unreasonable or illogical that it seems ridiculous.
"It seems absurd to pay more for postage than for the book itself."
"It would be absurd to walk five miles when the bus stops outside."
"The whole situation felt absurd, like something out of a farce."
How to use absurd
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRidiculously unreasonable or illogical — often used for situations that are almost funny in how wrong they are.
Common pairings
utterly absurd
absurd idea
sounds absurd
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Word forms
- Plural
- absurds
- Comparative
- absurder, more absurd
- Superlative
- absurdest, most absurd
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It seems _____ to pay more for postage than for the book itself.
Etymology
From Latin absurdus, "out of tune" or "incongruous," formed from ab- ("away from") plus surdus ("deaf, dull-sounding") — related to the word "surd."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “absurd” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “absurd”?
“Absurd” is pronounced uhb-SURD (/æbˈsɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “absurd” in a sentence?
Here is “absurd” used in a sentence: “It would be absurd to walk five miles when the bus stops outside.”
What is another word for “absurd”?
Words with a similar meaning to “absurd” include Laputan, cockamamie, cockeyed, farcical, foolish and full of it.
What part of speech is “absurd”?
“Absurd” is an adjective.
Where does the word “absurd” come from?
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.".
Is “absurd” a common word?
“Absurd” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between absurd and ridiculous?
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.
What is the difference between absurd and ludicrous?
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.
What is the difference between absurd and surreal?
"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.
What are common collocations with absurd?
"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."
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