RIDICULOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does ridiculous mean? 

• RIDICULOUS (adjective)
  The adjective RIDICULOUS has 3 senses:

1. inspiring scornful pity

2. so unreasonable as to invite derision

3. broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce

  Familiarity information: RIDICULOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RIDICULOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Inspiring scornful pity

Synonyms:

pathetic; ridiculous; silly

Context example:

how silly an ardent and unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on in years

Similar:

undignified (lacking dignity)

Derivation:

ridicule (the act of deriding or treating with contempt)

Sense 2

Meaning:

So unreasonable as to invite derision

Synonyms:

absurd; cockeyed; derisory; idiotic; laughable; ludicrous; nonsensical; preposterous; ridiculous

Context example:

her conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather dull children was ridiculous

Similar:

foolish (devoid of good sense or judgment)

Derivation:

ridiculousness (a message whose content is at variance with reason)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce

Synonyms:

farcical; ludicrous; ridiculous

Context example:

ludicrous green hair

Similar:

humorous; humourous (full of or characterized by humor)

Derivation:

ridicule (language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate)

ridiculousness (a message whose content is at variance with reason)

 Context examples 

The idea of dressing one's self, or doing anything in the way of action, in that state of love, was a little too ridiculous.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Oh! I believe I was relating to her some ridiculous stories of an old Irish groom of my uncle's.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Get up, you ridiculous boy, and tell me all about it.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

We soon found out that our tastes were exactly alike in preferring the country to every other place; really, our opinions were so exactly the same, it was quite ridiculous!

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Oh! no—I hope I shall not be ridiculous about it.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

"What ridiculous nonsense you are talking!"

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The wisest and the best of men—nay, the wisest and best of their actions—may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

To her own heart it was a delightful affair, to her imagination it was even a ridiculous one, but to her reason, her judgment, it was completely a puzzle.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

He forgot that she had made life a burden to him, and when she disported herself around him he responded solemnly, striving to be playful and becoming no more than ridiculous.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

It is most amusing and ridiculous, but I feel sorry for him, too.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)