Reading Theme:
Ridiculous: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：extremely silly or unreasonable (ridiculous)
ridiculous
/ˌrɪˈdɪkjələs/
adj.
Something is so silly or unreasonable that it makes you want to laugh or shake your head.
extremely silly or unreasonable
➕
/ɪkˈstriːmli ˈsɪli ɔːr ʌnˈriːzənəbəl/
adj.
Describes a situation, action, or idea that is laughably absurd because it defies common sense or logic.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'ridere' (to laugh) + '-culous' (tending to). Literally 'inclined to laughter'.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a 'ridiculous' scene: ducks wearing tuxedos at a fancy dinner. The word sounds like 'ridicule-us' – something that makes people laugh at or mock us.
📖 Example
They are charging ridiculous prices for a small cup of ice cream at the tourist spot.
The amount of money they ask for a small ice cream at that location is absurdly high.
🔗 Collocations
ridiculous price – an absurdly high or low cost
ridiculous amount – an unreasonable quantity, often of money or time
ridiculous charge – an unjustifiable fee or accusation
🔄 Synonyms
absurd (adj.) – Wildly illogical or inappropriate.
ludicrous (adj.) – So foolish as to be amusing.
preposterous (adj.) – Contrary to reason or common sense.
🚫 Antonyms
reasonable (adj.) – Fair and sensible; not excessive.
sensible (adj.) – Done or chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence.
🌱 Derivatives
ridiculously (adv.) – To an absurd degree.
ridiculousness (n.) – The quality of being absurd.
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'ridiculosus', meaning laughable. Entered English via French. Historically used in satire and comedy. Its strength increased over time; while once just 'funny', it now strongly implies absurdity deserving mockery, as seen in works by Shakespeare and modern political cartoons.
Meaning 2：deserving mockery (ridiculous)
ridiculous
/ˌrɪˈdɪkjələs/
adj.
Used to describe a person or thing that looks very silly, strange, or inappropriate, and invites mockery.
deserving mockery
➕
/dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ ˈmɒkəri/
adj.
Describes a person or their appearance that is so foolish, strange, or inappropriate that it invites laughter or scorn.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My brother looks ridiculous wearing that oversized cartoon pajama at his age.
He appears laughably silly and inappropriate dressed in such childish sleepwear as an adult.
🔗 Collocations
look ridiculous – to appear foolish or absurd
feel ridiculous – to be aware that one appears silly or out of place
ridiculous outfit – clothing that is absurdly inappropriate or funny
🔄 Synonyms
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