ridiculous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite inspiring scornful pity
    silly; pathetic.
    • how silly an ardent and unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on in years"- Dashiell Hammett
  2. adjective satellite incongruous; inviting ridicule
    derisory; ludicrous; idiotic; preposterous; cockeyed; absurd; laughable; nonsensical.
    • the absurd excuse that the dog ate his homework
    • that's a cockeyed idea
    • ask a nonsensical question and get a nonsensical answer
    • a contribution so small as to be laughable
    • it is ludicrous to call a cottage a mansion
    • a preposterous attempt to turn back the pages of history
    • her conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather dull children was ridiculous
  3. adjective satellite broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
    ludicrous; farcical.
    • the wild farcical exuberance of a clown
    • ludicrous green hair

WordNet

Ri*dic"u*lous adjective
Etymology
L. ridiculosus, ridiculus, fr. ridere to laigh. Cf. Risible.
Definitions
  1. Fitted to excite ridicule; absurd and laughable; unworthy of serious consideration; as, a ridiculous dress or behavior.
    Agricola, discerning that those little targets and unwieldy glaives ill pointed would soon become ridiculous against the thrust and close, commanded three Batavian cohorts . . . to draw up and come to handy strokes. Milton.
  2. Involving or expressing ridicule. r.
    [It] provokes me to ridiculous smiling. Shak.
    Syn. -- Ludicrous; laughable; risible; droll; comical; absurd; preposterous. See Ludicrous. --- Ri*dic"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Ri*dic"u*lous*ness, n.

Webster 1913