WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ab•surd /æbˈsɜrd, -ˈzɜrd/USA pronunciation
adj.
ab•surd•ly, adv.
ab•surd•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- without sense or logic;
contrary to all reason or common sense:Buying outdated computers now is clearly absurd.
ab•surd•ly, adv.
ab•surd•ness, n. [uncountable]
ab•surd
(ab sûrd′, -zûrd′),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
ab•surd′ly, adv.
ab•surd′ness, n.
- utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue;
contrary to all reason or common sense;
laughably foolish or false:an absurd explanation.
n.
- the quality or condition of existing in a meaningless and irrational world.
- Latin absurdus out of tune, uncouth, ridiculous. See ab-, surd
- 1550–60
ab•surd′ness, n.
- 1. irrational, silly, ludicrous, nonsensical. Absurd, ridiculous, preposterous all mean inconsistent with reason or common sense. Absurd means utterly opposed to truth or reason:an absurd claim.Ridiculous implies that something is fit only to be laughed at, perhaps contemptuously:a ridiculous suggestion.Preposterous implies an extreme of foolishness:a preposterous proposal.
- 1. logical, sensible.
'absurdly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):