absurd

UK: /æbˈsɜː^rd/ US: /æbˈsɝd, -ˈzɝd/ ,(ab sûrd′, -zûrd′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ab•surd /æbˈsɜrd, -ˈzɜrd/   adj. 

1. without sense or logic;
   contrary to all reason or common sense:
   Buying outdated computers now is clearly absurd.

ab•surd•i•ty, n., pl. -ties. 

[uncountable] the absurdity of paying taxes twice.

[countable] full of jokes and other absurdities.

ab•surd•ly, adv. 
ab•surd•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ab•surd  (ab sûrd′, -zûrd′), adj. 

1. utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue;
   contrary to all reason or common sense;
   laughably foolish or false:
   an absurd explanation.

n. 

2. 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′ly, adv. 
ab•surd′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 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.

Antonyms

• 1. logical, sensible.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

absurd / əbˈsɜːd/ adjective

1. at variance with reason; manifestly false
2. ludicrous; ridiculous

See also theatre of the absurdEtymology: 16th Century: via French from Latin absurdus dissonant, senseless, from ab-¹ (intensive) + surdus dull-sounding, indistinct

abˈsurdity, abˈsurdness noun

abˈsurdly adverb