ludicrous

UK: /ˈluːdɪkrəs/ US: /ˈludɪkrəs/ ,(lo̅o̅′di krəs)

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

lu•di•crous /ˈludɪkrəs/   adj. 

1. causing or deserving laughter because of being absurd;
   ridiculous;
   laughable:
   a ludicrous failure.

lu•di•crous•ly, adv. 
lu•di•crous•ness, n. [uncountable] See -lud-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

lu•di•crous  (lo̅o̅′di krəs), adj. 

1. causing laughter because of absurdity;
   provoking or deserving derision;
   ridiculous;
   laughable:
   a ludicrous lack of efficiency.

• Latin lūdicrus sportive, equivalent. to lūdicr(um) a show, public games (lūdi-, stem of lūdere to play, + -crum noun, nominal suffix of instrument or result) + -us -ous
• 1610–20

lu′di•crous•ly, adv. 
lu′di•crous•ness, n. 
Synonyms

farcical. See funny. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ludicrous / ˈluːdɪkrəs/ adjective

1. absurd or incongruous to the point of provoking ridicule or laughter

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin lūdicrus done in sport, from lūdus game; related to lūdere to play

ˈludicrously adverb

ˈludicrousness noun