English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun Uncommon

absurdity

uhb-SURD-ih-tee

Absurdity (noun) means the quality of being absurd or ridiculous. Example: “The absurdity of the excuse made everyone laugh.”

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noun

1

The quality of being absurd or ridiculous.

"The absurdity of the excuse made everyone laugh."

2

A particular absurd situation, statement, or action.

"The play is full of comic absurdities."

How to use absurdity

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe state of being ridiculous or illogical, or a specific example of that.

Common pairings

sheer absurdity the absurdity of point out the absurdity

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

absurdities plural

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The _____ of the excuse made everyone laugh.

Etymology

From Middle French absurdité or Late Latin absurditas, based on Latin absurdus — formed as absurd plus -ity.

Origin: Late Latin

Synonyms

ridiculousness nonsense folly foolishness silliness ludicrousness

Related words

truth lie intelligence bullshit crap nonsense madness rubbish

Rhymes for absurdity

city pity deity acuity parity entity brevity opacity paucity ability quality reality

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Frequently asked questions

What does “absurdity” mean?

The word “absurdity” means the quality of being absurd or ridiculous. In plain terms, the state of being ridiculous or illogical, or a specific example of that.

How do you pronounce “absurdity”?

“Absurdity” is pronounced uhb-SURD-ih-tee (/æbˈsɝd.ɪ.ti/ in IPA).

How do you use “absurdity” in a sentence?

Here is “absurdity” used in a sentence: “The absurdity of the excuse made everyone laugh.”

What part of speech is “absurdity”?

“Absurdity” is a noun.

Where does the word “absurdity” come from?

The word “absurdity” comes from Late Latin. From Middle French absurdité or Late Latin absurditas, based on Latin absurdus — formed as absurd plus -ity.

Is “absurdity” a common word?

“Absurdity” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “absurdity” have?

“Absurdity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being absurd or ridiculous.

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truth lie intelligence bullshit crap nonsense madness rubbish

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial