absurd
absurd — adjective
1. so far from what makes sense that it is foolish, often funny, and impossible to
so far from what makes sense that it is foolish, often funny, and impossible to take seriously — like wearing a thick coat at the beach, or claiming a goldfish can drive a car.
Zara thought it was absurd to pay forty dollars for a single cupcake at the bakery.
it is absurd + to-infinitive
Viraj made an absurd suggestion: that the cat had eaten all the homework.
absurd + noun (suggestion, idea, claim)
It seems absurd that a small bottle of water costs five euros at the airport.
The clown wore an absurd hat shaped like a giant pink banana.
Kalani burst out laughing at the absurd idea of his grandmother joining a heavy metal band.
- ridiculous
very close in meaning; slightly more informal and emotional
- ludicrous
stronger and more formal; emphasises that something deserves laughter
- preposterous
formal; suggests outrage as well as disbelief
- silly
much milder; often affectionate rather than dismissive
- sensible
based on good judgement
- reasonable
fair and logical
- rational
based on clear thinking
文法句型
it is absurd + to-infinitive
it is absurd + that-clause
用法筆記
Frequently used in the frame 'it is/seems absurd to…' or 'it is/seems absurd that…' when judging an action or claim from the outside. Carries a dismissive tone — the speaker rejects the idea as not worth serious thought.
常見錯誤
2. used with 'the' before this word to talk about events or situations as a group w
used with 'the' before this word to talk about events or situations as a group when they are strange, illogical, and feel unreal — the kind of thing you might see in a dream or a comedy film.
The novel takes its readers from everyday life into the absurd.
into the absurd (noun use)
Amara's short films often blur the line between the real and the absurd.
the real and the absurd
After three sleepless nights, Viraj felt his thoughts drifting toward the absurd.
The director loves the absurd, filling each scene with talking lamps and dancing chairs.
- the surreal
very close; emphasises a dreamlike quality
- the bizarre
highlights strangeness more than illogicality
- the ordinary
everyday and expected
文法句型
the absurd (as noun phrase)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is a noun phrase formed with 'the absurd', referring to a category of strange, dreamlike happenings. Sense 1 modifies a specific idea or thing.
常見錯誤
absurd — noun
1. in philosophy, the feeling that the universe gives no clear purpose to people's
in philosophy, the feeling that the universe gives no clear purpose to people's lives, so any search for deep meaning ends in confusion or silence.
Camus wrote that facing the absurd was the first honest step toward freedom.
facing the absurd (philosophical use)
The professor explained the absurd using the image of a man pushing a heavy stone up a hill forever.
explained the absurd + concrete image
For many existentialist writers, accepting the absurd does not mean giving up on living well.
Sofia's thesis explores how modern theatre puts the absurd on stage through silence and broken speech.
- absurdity
the abstract quality; less tied to philosophy
- meaninglessness
plainer; lacks the philosophical history
文法句型
the absurd (philosophy)
用法筆記
Almost always written as 'the absurd' and tied to twentieth-century philosophy and theatre. Distinguish from adjective sense 2 ('the absurd' as funny strangeness): this noun sense is serious and existential.