risibility

American  

[riz-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌrɪz əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

risibilities

1. Often risibilities. the ability or disposition to laugh; humorous awareness of the ridiculous and absurd.

2. laughter.

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risibility British  

/ ˌrɪzɪˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. a tendency to laugh

2. hilarity; laughter

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Etymology

Origin of risibility

From the Late Latin word rīsibilitās, dating back to 1610–20. See risible, -ity

Explanation

The noun risibility describes a wonderful quality in a person — the tendency to laugh often and easily. You're forgiven for thinking this word means "an ability to rise." In fact, it means "readiness to laugh." You might remark on the risibility of your giggly little cousin. The etymology of risibility is somewhat obscured by the conjugation of its Latin root, ridere, which means "to laugh," but which also gives us deride and ridiculous.

Example Sentences

His great talent was to take tiny grains of information in reports and proposals, repackage them as official European policy and present them as part of a broad narrative about Brussels’ risibility.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 30, 2016

What is the difference — in fact, and in risibility — between a hobo and a bum?

From Washington Post • Dec. 15, 2014

But such an enforced daily dose of risibility struck me as being a little like wearing a lampshade at a party while completely sober.

From Time Magazine Archive

Some of the items are more entertaining than others but each should produce at least one chuckle and in several the angle of risibility is acute.

From Time Magazine Archive

This was too much for the risibility of the girls crowding in at the door, and no pounding of the broom handle could entirely quell the giggles.

From Nan Sherwood at Lakeview Hall Or the Mystery of the Haunted Boathouse by Carr, Annie Roe