ridiculous
inspiring scornful pity
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,626 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 6,378 times across 175,112 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
adjective
- inspiring scornful pity also: pathetic, silly how silly an ardent and unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on in years
- so unreasonable as to invite derision also: absurd, cockeyed, derisory, idiotic, laughable, ludicrous the absurd excuse that the dog ate his homeworkthat's a cockeyed idea
- broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce also: farcical, ludicrous the wild farcical exuberance of a clownludicrous green hair
ridiculous in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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He sat on the men's shoulders in his ridiculous clothes, and the heavens opened.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1
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Dave clenched his fists, but knew that he could do nothing without making himself ridiculous.
The High School Boys' Canoe Club · H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock · Chapter 1
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You can speak, can you, you ridiculous crab?’ she said, for she was not quite pleased at the Crab’s remarks.
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1
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You might get on to one of the second-class fashion-papers to answer ridiculous questions about house-keeping or wall-papers or freckles.
Emily Fox-Seton · Frances Hodgson Burnett · Chapter 1
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That ridiculous idea occurred to her because she likes my name, and would be delighted to see her daughter Marquise de Tregars.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1