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Etymology
Origin of absurdity
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English absurdite, from Middle French, from Late Latin absurditās; absurd + -ity
Explanation
An absurdity is something ridiculously foolish. The U.S. declaring war on Fiji would be an absurdity. This is the noun form of the adjective absurd, which means silly, hard-to-believe, and kind of crazy. Unless it's Halloween, it would be an absurdity to show up to school in a chicken suit. If your teacher taught math class with a fake French accent, that would also be an absurdity. A lot of comedies are full of absurdities, because an absurdity can be funny. If you're good at thinking of absurdities, maybe you should be a comedy writer.
Vocabulary lists containing absurdity
Stargirl
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"The Witches" by Roald Dahl, Chapters 1–5
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Vocabulary from the Sixth Democratic Debate, February 11, 2016
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Julian Fellowes’s 19th-century drama is still a festival of overacting and narrative absurdity, yet it feels increasingly clever in its theatricality—and Carrie Coon remains a marvel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
To draw the world’s attention to a serious matter by way of absurdity — that’s a good trick.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
This flattening of subject matter highlights both the absurdity and power of the mass-produced image: An exploding plane, a passionate kiss and a load of laundry are all given equal weight through Lichtenstein’s eyes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
It’s so funny and really encapsulates the messy truth and real absurdity of loss.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
In what seems the height of absurdity, the “threat of infestation of the New York City metropolitan area” has been cited as an important justification of the program.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Finally, if you think the obstacles to orderly press coverage and the absurdities of decision-day theater are bad, remember that they are nothing compared to how the court does its own substantive work.
From Slate ● Jul. 2, 2026
Parr, renowned for capturing the quiet rituals and absurdities of British life, was commissioned by the National Trust to capture life in Lacock, Wiltshire, during the spring and summer of 2025.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Current and former Social Security officials have told ProPublica over the past year that the SSI program’s complexities and absurdities remain perhaps the agency’s biggest bureaucratic headache.
From Salon ● Apr. 29, 2026
Metaphors, absurdities and seriousness intermingle in this production from New Forms LA and directed by Marissa Pattullo.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026
Elizabeth loved absurdities, but she had known Sir William’s too long.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
