absurd Meaning & Definition
What Does Absurd Mean?
Absurd is used as an adjective meaning ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous. It is also used to mean having no rational or orderly relationship to human life. As a noun, it means the state or condition in which human beings exist in an irrational and meaningless universe and in which human life has no ultimate meaning.
Word Facts for Absurd
| Part of speech | adjective, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /əb-ˈsərd/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | incongruous, ludicrous and derisory |
| Antonyms | realistic, reasonable and judicious |
| Plural | absurds |
| Comparative / superlative | absurder, absurdest |
| Adverb | absurdly |
Absurd Definition (Adjective)
- ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous : extremely silly or ridiculous
an absurd argument / absurd humor
- having no rational or orderly relationship to human life : meaningless
an absurd universe
- lacking order or value
an absurd existence
- dealing with the absurd see absurd:2 or with absurdism
absurd theater
Absurd as a Noun
- the state or condition in which human beings exist in an irrational and meaningless universe and in which human life has no ultimate meaning
Synonyms of Absurd
Antonyms of Absurd
Absurd in a Sentence
an absurd argument
absurd humor
an absurd universe
an absurd existence
absurd theater
absurd claims of having been abducted by UFO's
an absurd rule that bicycles are not allowed in the park
it's absurd to expect to make a killing in the stock market overnight
an absurd argument / absurd humor
Word Forms & Grammar
ab·surd·ly adverb
ab·surd·ness noun
absurd
absurder
absurdest
absurdly
absurdness
absurdnesses
absurds
absurd (comparative absurder or more absurd, superlative absurdest or most absurd)
absurd (plural absurds)
Words That Rhyme With Absurd
Origin of Absurd
Origin 1: 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" surd:1
Origin 2: borrowed from French (l')absurde, derivative of absurde absurd:1
Origin 3: First attested in 1557. From Middle French absurde, from Latin absurdus (“incongruous, dissonant, out of tune”),[1] from ab (“away from, out”) + surdus (“silent, deaf, dull-sounding”).[2] Compare surd.
First Known Use
1530
1946
Pronouncing Absurd
You say absurd as /əb-ˈsərd/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (sərd).
Quick Answers About Absurd
Is absurd an adjective or a noun?
Absurd is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for absurd?
You can replace absurd with words such as incongruous, ludicrous and derisory. See the full list of absurd synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of absurd?
Words opposite in meaning to absurd are realistic, reasonable, judicious and prudent.
What is the plural of absurd?
The plural of absurd is absurds.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of absurd?
The comparative form is absurder and the superlative form is absurdest.