See Also: ridiculous(medicine)
ridiculous(dictionary)
ridiculous(dictionary)

ridiculous (iou)



ridiculous adjective, noun, & adverb. M16.
[Latin (ridiculosus from) ridiculus: see RIDICULE noun1, -OUS. Cf. French ridiculeux.]
A. adjective.
Deserving or inviting ridicule or derisive laughter; absurd, preposterous, laughable. M16.
V. Brittain A realistic sense of humour always saved her from becoming ridiculous. O. Manning Inchcape spoke as though marriage were some ridiculous custom of primitive tribes. M. Muggeridge A ridiculous looking man, with tiny legs,..a protruding stomach, and a large head.
b. Outrageous, scandalous, shameful (now dial. & US). Also (colloq.), unbelievable, astounding; outstanding, excellent. M19.
J. B. Morton The ridiculous speed with which big boats butt through the waves. Melody Maker But his swing is ridiculous He's got everything going for him.
Derisive. mocking. rare. E17-L18.
b. absol. as noun. the ridiculous, that which is ridiculous. M18.
Westminster Review There is but one step, said Napoleon, from the sublime to the ridiculous.
C. adverb. Ridiculously. non-standard. M19.
Daily Mirror Don't talk ridiculous!
ridiculously adverb M16.
ridiculousness noun E17.