risible
[riz-uh-buhl]
- causing or capable of causing laughter; laughable; ludicrous.
- having the ability, disposition, or readiness to laugh.
- pertaining to or connected with laughing.
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Origin of risible
1550–60; < Late Latin rīsibilis that can laugh, equivalent to Latin rīs(us) (past participle of rīdēre to laugh) + -ibilis -ible
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for risible
Contemporary Examples
This year introduced a new, risible entry to the cultural lexicon: “The Coachella Diet.”
Coachella, Oasis For Douchebags and Trust Fund Babies, Should Be Avoided At All CostsMarlow Stern
April 12, 2014
The argument depends on a number of risible and obviously untrue assumptions.
His essay was considered so risible that few even bothered trying to argue with it.
His stature with the French public has sunk from rising star to risible lecher.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn Settles With Maid: How the Case Changed FranceChristopher Dickey
December 11, 2012
Funny, but years ago the idea of seatbelts other than in an airplane or tobacco being deadly was risible.
Historical Examples
She provided her, at a risible charge, with succulent meals.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide PujolWilliam J. Locke
Annette declined to laugh at the most risible caricatures of Tinman.
The Short Works of George MeredithGeorge Meredith
Has such a risible calamity ever occurred before in any age?
An Artist's Letters From JapanJohn La Farge
He dictated with calm deliberation, and shewed no risible feeling even when he had made a humorous point.
Which very probably the philosopher had in his head, when he defined man a risible animal.
Ebrietatis EncomiumBoniface Oinophilus
risible
- having a tendency to laugh
- causing laughter; ridiculous
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Word Origin
C16: from Late Latin rīsibilis, from Latin rīdēre to laugh
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for risible
adj.
1550s, "given to laughter," from Middle French risible (14c.) and directly from Late Latin risibilis "laughable, able to laugh," from Latin risus, past participle of ridere "to laugh." Meaning "capable of exciting laughter, comical" is from 1727.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper