What does ridiculous mean?
Ridiculous describes something so absurd, exaggerated, or impractical that it prompts laughter, disbelief, or contempt. The word can refer to an idea, costume, claim, or plan that seems obviously foolish, as in calling a complicated scheme ridiculous. It is also commonly used to describe excessive costs or inconvenience: a ridiculously large bill or a ridiculous amount of effort for a minor task. In more confrontational contexts, ridiculous can imply that something deserves mockery rather than a sympathetic hearing. The adjective is widely understood in formal and informal English, although it often carries a more openly humorous or dismissive tone than words such as absurd or unreasonable. It is useful for expressing both amusement and judgment about ideas or practices that fall short of sensible expectations.
adjectiveSo absurd or unreasonable that it invites laughter, disbelief, or contempt. It can also describe something excessively costly, impractical, or exaggerated.
- Describing something so absurd or implausible that it appears laughable.
- Describing an unreasonable, excessive, or impractical demand, expense, or situation.
- Describing behavior or treatment that is contemptible or worthy of mockery.
"The idea of wearing a crown to the office meeting was ridiculous."
"The proposed route across the mountains was plainly ridiculous."
"The bill was so ridiculous that they decided to cancel the event."
"He looked ridiculous in a costume made entirely from kitchen utensils."
A ridiculous idea can make people laugh, but calling something ridiculous can also make them stop taking it seriously.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ridiculous come from?
The adjective comes through French from Latin ridiculus, a diminutive of ridere, meaning 'to laugh.' The suffix -culus conveyed a sense of something that provokes laughter or is fit to be mocked. English borrowed the word in the 16th century, initially with implications of derision, and it later broadened to include anything absurdly unreasonable.
Related word forms
How ridiculous is actually used
Generally informal to conversational, though established in formal writing as a strong adjective for something absurd or untenable. It may be used humorously to describe something excessively inconvenient or expensive.
Easily confused with ridiculous
A ridiculous thing is one that invites ridicule, while ridicule is the expression of mockery or scorn directed at someone or something.