risible

[ riz-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. causing or capable of causing laughter; laughable; ludicrous.

   Synonyms: comical, humorous, funny

2. having the ability, disposition, or readiness to laugh.
3. pertaining to or connected with laughing.

risible

/ ˈrɪzɪbəl /

adjective

1. having a tendency to laugh
2. causing laughter; ridiculous

Derived Forms

• ˈrisibly, adverb

Other Words From

• un·risi·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of risible¹

1550–60; < Late Latin rīsibilis that can laugh, equivalent to Latin rīs ( us ) laughed (past participle of rīdēre to laugh) + -ibilis -ible

Word History and Origins

Origin of risible¹

C16: from Late Latin rīsibilis , from Latin rīdēre to laugh

Example Sentences

The latter stages of the film, in which a conspiracy is broadly sketched out, would be wobbly enough without Oliver Stone making JFK out to be some sort of saint—but his soft-soaping of JFK’s management of the Bay of Pigs crisis is risible.

From The Daily Beast

Although the Taken movies are mostly risible, Neeson’s persona connected with audiences and his old-school masculinity inspired more talented filmmakers to seize on his popularity.

From Washington Post

It was an absurd case brought under a risible legal theory that was widely mocked even by many outspoken opponents of Obamacare.

From Vox

Annual property taxes are risible resembling other states’ monthly bills.

From Washington Post

This year introduced a new, risible entry to the cultural lexicon: “The Coachella Diet.”

From The Daily Beast

The argument depends on a number of risible and obviously untrue assumptions.

From The Daily Beast

His essay was considered so risible that few even bothered trying to argue with it.

From The Daily Beast

His stature with the French public has sunk from rising star to risible lecher.

From The Daily Beast

As recently as 40 years ago the very idea of Scottish independence was considered risible.

From The Daily Beast

Risible, riz′i-bl, adj. capable of exciting laughter: laughable: amusing.

From Project Gutenberg

Her exclamations, at his extraordinary appearance, were too much for the risible muscles of the rest of the company.

From Project Gutenberg

Toby's breath caught in his throat for a moment, but he stiffened his risible muscle like a man.

From Project Gutenberg

Humor operates from within, with its slow and prolonged excitation of your risible soul.

From Project Gutenberg

Man is the only risible animal: risibility may be said, therefore, to be his distinguishing mark.

From Project Gutenberg