Definition of Ridiculous

1. Adjective. Inspiring scornful pity. "How silly an ardent and unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on in years"

Exact synonyms: Pathetic, Silly
Similar to: Undignified
Derivative terms: Ridicule, Silliness

2. Adjective. Incongruous;inviting ridicule. "Her conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather dull children was ridiculous"

3. Adjective. Broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce. "Ludicrous green hair"
Exact synonyms: Farcical, Ludicrous
Similar to: Humorous, Humourous
Derivative terms: Farce, Ridicule, Ridiculousness

Definition of Ridiculous

1. a. Fitted to excite ridicule; absurd and laughable; unworthy of serious consideration; as, a ridiculous dress or behavior.

Definition of Ridiculous

1. Adjective. Deserving of ridicule; foolish; absurd. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Ridiculous

1. [adj]

Medical Definition of Ridiculous

1. 1. Fitted to excite ridicule; absurd and laughable; unworthy of serious consideration; as, a ridiculous dress or behavior. "Agricola, discerning that those little targets and unwieldy glaives ill pointed would soon become ridiculous against the thrust and close, commanded three Batavian cohorts . . . To draw up and come to handy strokes." (Milton) 2. Involving or expressing ridicule. "[It] provokes me to ridiculous smiling." (Shak) Synonym: Ludicrous, laughable, risible, droll, comical, absurd, preposterous. See Ludicrous. - Ridic"ulously, Ridic"ulousness. Origin: L. Ridiculosus, ridiculus, fr. Ridere to laigh. Cf. Risible. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Ridiculous

ridgy-didge
ridibund
ridicle
ridicule
ridiculed
ridiculer
ridiculers
ridicules
ridiculing
ridiculize
ridiculized
ridiculizes
ridiculizing
ridiculosities
ridiculosity
ridiculous (current term)
ridiculously
ridiculousness
ridiculousnesses
riding
riding bitt
riding boot
riding breeches
riding crop
riding crops
riding embolism
riding habit
riding habits
riding halter
riding halters

Literary usage of Ridiculous

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Works of the English Poets, from Chaucer to Cowper: Including the Series by Alexander Chalmers, Samuel Johnson (1810)
"This is the highest degree of the ridiculous; as in the affectation of diseases or vices. Ver. 207. Thus far triumphant, &c.] Ridicule from false shame or ..."

2. The Republic of Plato: Tr by Plato (1909)
"... the many say is really good and fair, have you ever yet heard one of these mercenary adventurers attempt to prove, without making himself ridiculous ? ..."

3. The Library of Literary Criticism of English and American Authors by Charles Wells Moulton (1904)
"CLEVELAND, CHARLES D., 1853, himself ridiculous by failing to see the English Literature o/ the Nineteenth Cen- limits of his power. ..."

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