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absurd

ab·surd [ əb-ˈsərd]

absurd

noun

Definition of absurd (Entry 2 of 2)

: the state or condition in which human beings exist in an irrational and meaningless universe and in which human life has no ultimate meaning —usually used with the
//the theater of the absurd

absurd

adjective

Definition of absurd

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous
//an absurd argument : extremely silly or ridiculous
//absurd humor

2 : having no rational or orderly relationship to human life : meaningless
//an absurd universe
also : lacking order or value
//an absurd existence

3 : dealing with the absurd (see absurd entry 2) or with absurdism
//absurd theater

Other Words from absurd

Adjective

absurdly adverb

absurdness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Adjective

Synonyms: Antonyms:adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for dainty

Adjective

absurd, foolish, and silly mean not showing good sense. absurd is used when something is not in keeping with common sense, good reasoning, or accepted ideas.
// The notion that horses can talk is absurd. foolish is used when something is not thought of by others as wise or sensible.
// You would be foolish to invest your money in that. silly is used when something makes no sense and has no purpose.
// They had a silly argument over who ate the most.

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
//No team in the country will lose in a more absurd manner this season than the Red Raiders against Kansas.
— Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, "MIssouri Tigers' loss at Kentucky continues road issues, puts fanbase at top of misery index," 27 Oct. 2019
//George Orwell couldn’t have dreamed up a more absurd situation than students at one of the world’s most prestigious universities opposing campus journalists seeking comment from a government agency.
— BostonGlobe.com, "opposing campus journalists seeking comment," 25 Oct. 2019
//Some of the criticism that James has received, particularly from right-wingers, has been absurd and opportunistic.
— Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "Come On, LeBron," 17 Oct. 2019
//Herz’s book catalogued a new world that was absurd and chaotic, not infrequently problematic, and, bafflingly, important.
— Tim Fernholz, Quartz, "A 23-year-old book about the internet predicted the web’s worst problems," 15 Oct. 2019
//Joe Toreno for Fortune Some of the more absurd recurring scenes are those featuring the ghosts who live in Nick’s attic, including Freddie Mercury, Whitney Houston, and a very foulmouthed Duke Ellington, voiced by Jordan Peele.
— Fortune, "Nick Kroll on the ‘Meta Experience’ of Making ‘Big Mouth’," 4 Oct. 2019
//Krystal's story, however, becomes increasingly absorbing as the narrative progresses and the situations become more absurd.
— Brian Lowry, CNN, "Kirsten Dunst shines in quirky 'On Becoming a God in Central Florida'," 23 Aug. 2019
//This year in pro wrestling just could not get more absurd.
— Dan Gartland, SI.com, "Joey Janela and Enzo Amore Got in a Real Fight at a Blink-182 Concert," 10 July 2019
//The notion that government is here to provide infrastructure and support for its citizenry is absurd and lost to the history books.
— Letter Writers, Twin Cities, "Letters: Another tax increase? I’m done!," 11 Aug. 2019

First Known Use of absurd

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for absurd

Adjective

borrowed from Middle French absurde, going back to Old French absorde, borrowed from Latin absurdus "out of tune, uncouth, inappropriate, ridiculous," from ab- ab- + surdus "unhearing, deaf, muffled, dull" — more at surd entry 1

Noun

borrowed from French (l')absurde, derivative of absurde absurd entry 1

Dictionary Entries near absurd

Phrases Related to absurd

the absurd