ludicrous

[loo-di-kruhs]

adjective

1. causing laughter because of absurdity; provoking or deserving derision; ridiculous; laughable.

   a ludicrous lack of efficiency.

   Synonyms: farcical

ludicrous

/ ˈluːdɪkrəs /

adjective

1. absurd or incongruous to the point of provoking ridicule or laughter

Other Word Forms

• ludicrously adverb
• ludicrousness noun
• unludicrous adjective
• unludicrously adverb
• unludicrousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ludicrous¹

1610–20; from Latin lūdicrus “sportive,” equivalent to lūdicr(um) “a show, public games” ( lūdi-, stem of lūdere “to play” + -crum noun suffix of instrument or result) + -us -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of ludicrous¹

C17: from Latin lūdicrus done in sport, from lūdus game; related to lūdere to play

Synonym Study

See funny ¹.

Example Sentences

McDonald said the proposed "BritCard" was a "ludicrous proposition" and no government had the right to impose it on Irish citizens.

From BBC

During the Civilian Oversight Commission’s meeting on Thursday, Hans Johnson, the commission’s chair, made fiery comments about the policy, calling it “reckless,” “ridiculous and ludicrous.”

From Los Angeles Times

I have just confronted them with the fact that their recent decision to split up is both premature and ludicrous.

From Los Angeles Times

Proxmire became addicted to the fawning press attention he got from caricaturing serious scientific research as ludicrous.

From Los Angeles Times

Leader of the opposition, Conservative Sam Smith, added the ban was "totally ludicrous".

From BBC

Related Words

• bizarre 
• comical 
• crazy 
• fantastic 
• farcical 
• foolish 
• funny 
• grotesque 
• incongruous 
• laughable 
• nonsensical 
• odd 
• outlandish 
• preposterous 
• silly