English[]
Etymology[]
Latin absurdus (“‘discordant, unreasonable’”), from ab + surdus (“‘deaf’”). Probably derived from the root svar (“‘to sound’”); not connected with surd: compare French absurde.
Pronunciation[]
Adjective[]
Absurd (comparative er, superlative more)
Positive |
Superlative |
- Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous.
- This proffer is absurd and reasonless. - Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part I, V-iv
- This phrase absurd to call a villain great. - Alexander Pope
Usage notes[]
- Said of people, opinions, dreams, etc.
Among the synonyms:
- Irrational is the weakest, denoting that which is plainly inconsistent with the dictates of sound reason; as, an irrational course of life.
- Foolish rises higher, and implies either a perversion of that faculty, or an absolute weakness or fatuity of mind; as, foolish enterprises.
- Absurd rises still higher, denoting that which is plainly opposed to received notions of propriety and truth; as, an absurd man, project, opinion, story, argument, etc.
- Preposterous rises still higher, and supposes an absolute inversion in the order of things; or, in plain terms, a "putting of the cart before the horse;" as, a preposterous suggestion, preposterous conduct, a preposterous regulation or law.
Synonyms[]
- foolish, irrational, ridiculous, preposterous, inconsistent, incongruous, ludicrous
- See also Wikisaurus:absurd
Derived terms[]
Translations[]
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Noun[]
Singular |
Plural |
Absurd ({{{1}}})
- (obsolete) An absurdity. — Alexander Pope
- (with the) That which is absurd.
Derived terms[]
- theatre of the absurd
Translations[]
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
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References[]
- Absurd in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- Absurd in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
Danish[]
Etymology[]
From Latin absurdus (“‘discordant, unreasonable’”).
Pronunciation[]
- IPA: /absurd/, [ɑbˈsuɐ̯ˀd̥]
Adjective[]
Absurd (neuter absurd, definite and plural absurde)
Derived terms[]
- absurditet
German[]
Adjective[]
Template:De-adj
Polish[]
Pronunciation[]
Audio noicon (file)
Noun[]
Absurd m.
- nonsense
- Jego propozycje to jeden wielki absurd.
- His suggestions are one big nonsense.
- Jego propozycje to jeden wielki absurd.
Declension[]
singular | plural | |
---|---|---|
nominative | absurd | absurdy |
genitive | absurdu | absurdów |
dative | absurdowi | absurdom |
accusative | absurd | absurdy |
instrumental | absurdem | absurdami |
locative | absurdzie | absurdach |
vocative | absurdzie | absurdy |
Derived terms[]
- absurdalny — adjective absurd
Swedish[]
Adjective[]
Absurd Template:Sv-adj-peri
ar:absurd de:absurd et:absurd es:absurd fa:absurd fr:absurd gl:absurd io:absurd id:absurd is:absurd it:absurd kn:absurd csb:absurd ku:absurd li:absurd hu:absurd ml:absurd nl:absurd no:absurd pl:absurd pt:absurd sq:absurd fi:absurd sv:absurd ta:absurd te:absurd th:absurd chr:absurd tr:absurd uk:absurd vi:absurd zh:absurd