absurd
/əbˈsɚd/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.95 in modern English
9
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; silly.
adj
Having no rational or orderly relationship to people's lives; meaningless; lacking order or value.
adj
noun
The opposition between the human search for meaning in life and the inability to find any; the state or condition in which man exists in an irrational universe and his life has no meaning outside of his existence.
Example Sentences
- "This proffer is absurd and reasonless."
- "'Tis phrase absurd to call a villain great"
- "“Perhaps it is because I have been excommunicated. It's absurd, but I feel like the Jackdaw of Rheims.” ¶ She winced and bowed her head. Each time that he spoke flippantly of the Church he caused her pain."
- "I know it sounds absurd / But please, tell me who I am"
- "Adults have condemned them to live in what must seem like an absurd universe."
Etymology
First attested in 1557. From Middle French absurde, from Latin absurdus (“incongruous, dissonant, out of tune”), from ab (“away from, out”) + surdus (“silent, deaf, dull-sounding”). Compare surd.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /əbˈsɚd/
- British English: /əbˈsɜːd/
Usage
Inflected Forms
absurder (comparative)
more absurd (comparative)
absurdest (superlative)
most absurd (superlative)
absurds (plural)