verb
Uncommon
ridicule
RIH-dihk-yool
Ridicule (verb) means to mock or make fun of someone or something in a scornful way. Example: “The critics ridiculed his first novel as amateurish.”
verb
1
To mock or make fun of someone or something in a scornful way.
"The critics ridiculed his first novel as amateurish."
"She was ridiculed at school for her accent."
noun
1
Mocking words or behaviour intended to make someone look foolish.
"He faced public ridicule after the failed product launch."
How to use ridicule
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMaking fun of someone or something in a mocking, belittling way.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with the adjective ridiculous, which describes the thing being mocked rather than the act of mocking.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
open to ridicule
ridicule someone's idea
object of ridicule
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Word forms
- Plural
- ridicules
- Third person singular
- ridicules
- Past tense
- ridiculed
- Comparative
- more ridicule
- Superlative
- most ridicule
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The critics _____ his first novel as amateurish.
Etymology
From French ridicule, from Latin rīdiculus (\"laughable\"), from ridere (\"to laugh\").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ridicule
See all rhymes for ridicule →Frequently asked questions
What does “ridicule” mean?
The word “ridicule” means to mock or make fun of someone or something in a scornful way. In plain terms, making fun of someone or something in a mocking, belittling way.
How do you pronounce “ridicule”?
“Ridicule” is pronounced RIH-dihk-yool (/ˈɹɪdɪkjuːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “ridicule” in a sentence?
Here is “ridicule” used in a sentence: “The critics ridiculed his first novel as amateurish.”
What is another word for “ridicule”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ridicule” include derision, scoff, mockery and katagelasticism.
What part of speech is “ridicule”?
Depending on how it is used, “ridicule” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “ridicule” come from?
The word “ridicule” comes from Latin. From French ridicule, from Latin rīdiculus (\"laughable\"), from ridere (\"to laugh\").
Is “ridicule” a common word?
“Ridicule” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ridicule” have?
“Ridicule” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to mock or make fun of someone or something in a scornful way.
