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Definition of Absurd
1. Noun. A situation in which life seems irrational and meaningless. "The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth"
2. Adjective. Inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense. "The absurd predicament of seeming to argue that virtue is highly desirable but intensely unpleasant"
3. Adjective. Incongruous;inviting ridicule. "Her conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather dull children was ridiculous"
Similar to: Foolish
Derivative terms: Absurdity, Absurdness, Deride, Ridiculousness
Definition of Absurd
1. a. Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; as, an absurd person, an absurd opinion; an absurd dream.
2. n. An absurdity.
Definition of Absurd
1. Adjective. Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous. ¹
2. Adjective. Having no rational or orderly relationship to man's life; meaningless; lacking order or value. ¹
3. Noun. (context: obsolete) An absurdity. — (w Alexander Pope) ¹
4. Noun. (context: with '''the''') That which is absurd. ¹
5. Noun. (context: philosophy) The opposition between the human search for meaning in life and the inability to find any; The state or condition in which man exists in an irrational universe and his life has no meaning outside of his existence. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Absurd
1. ridiculously incongruous or unreasonable [adj -SURDER, -SURDEST] : ABSURDLY [adv] / the condition in which man exists in an irrational and meaningless universe [n -S]
Medical Definition of Absurd
1. Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and fiatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; as, an absurd person, an absurd opinion; an absurd dream. "This proffer is absurd and reasonless." (Shak) "'This phrase absurd to call a villain great." (Pope) (p. 9) Synonym: Foolish, irrational, ridiculous, preposterous, inconsistent, incongruous. Absurd, Irrational, Foolish, Preposterous. Of these terms, irrational is the weakest, denoting that which is plainly inconsistent with the dictates of sound reason; as, an irrational course of life. Foolish rises higher, and implies either a perversion of that faculty, or an absolute weakness or fatuity of mind; as, foolish enterprises. Absurd rises still higher, denoting that which is plainly opposed to received notions of propriety and truth; as, an absurd man, project, opinion, story, argument, etc. Preposterous rises still higher, and supposes an absolute inversion in the order of things; or, in plain terms, a "putting of the cart before the horse;" as, a preposterous suggestion, preposterous conduct, a preposterous regulation or law. Origin: L. Absurdus harsh-sounding; ab + (prob) a derivative fr. A root svar to sound; not connected with surd: cf. F. Absurde. See Syringe. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Absurd
Literary usage of Absurd
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1906)
"ceived in play and practise, on account of extreme publicity, absurd ... Mr. B.
regards such an opinion as absurd, because he knows of a whole team which ..."
2. Punch by Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman (1870)
"No longer can sustain a sway, effete, absurd. Of patience and high courage ;
valour seen On the red battle-field in gallant deed Vu ..."
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