What does risible mean?
Risible is an adjective with two related meanings. In its most familiar modern use, it describes something absurd, ridiculous, or comic enough to invite laughter: a plan may be described as risible, as may a performance or pretence. It can also mean capable of laughing or inclined to laughter, though this older sense is now less common and sounds formal or dated. The word often conveys a degree of mockery or amusement beyond simple approval; describing something as risible can suggest that it is not merely funny but glaringly implausible. Risible appears particularly in British and US literary and journalistic prose, while laughable and ridiculous are more familiar choices in ordinary conversation. Although its sound resembles that of visible, the two words have unrelated origins and meanings.
Deserving of laughter because of being absurd, ridiculous, or comic.
"The attempt to repair the damage with tape was thoroughly risible."
This is the dominant modern sense and is often more literary than laughable or ridiculous.
Capable of laughing or inclined to laughter.
"His risible nature made it difficult for him to remain solemn."
This older sense is relatively uncommon and tends to occur in formal or historical prose.
Risible once meant able to laugh; today it often means fit to be laughed at.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does risible come from?
Risible comes from the Latin adjective risibilis, meaning able to laugh or laughable, formed from ridere, “to laugh.” The same Latin root underlies English words such as deride, derision, and ridicule. Risible entered English during the 17th century, initially with the sense of able to laugh and later also developing the sense of deserving laughter.
Related word forms
How risible is actually used
Risible is more literary and less common in everyday speech than laughable or ridiculous. Its second, older sense, meaning inclined to laugh, is now relatively uncommon.