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absurdity — the quality or state of being ridiculous or wildly unreasonable

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the quality or state of being ridiculous or wildly unreasonable

Pronunciation (IPA): /əbˈsɜːrdəti/

Example Sentences

  • The absurdity of wearing a winter coat in summer heat was lost on my fashionable friend.
  • He couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of arguing with a chatbot about philosophy.
  • The theater of the absurd explores life's fundamental absurdity.

absurdity

NOUN

[/əbˈsɜːrdəti/]

the quality or state of being ridiculous or wildly unreasonable

The businessman rowing a boat across the dry desert perfectly demonstrated the absurdity of the situation.
💡 Concept

The businessman rowing a boat across the dry desert perfectly demonstrated the absurdity of the situation.

AB(away) + SURD(reason) + ITY(state) — absurdity is the state of having all common sense thrown away.
🧠 Mnemonic

AB(away) + SURD(reason) + ITY(state) — absurdity is the state of having all common sense thrown away.

After seeing the tiny bird served as the expensive third course, the customer exploded in anger at the absurdity of the meal.
🎵 Rhyme

After seeing the tiny bird served as the expensive third course, the customer exploded in anger at the absurdity of the meal.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əbˈsɜːrdəti/
🇬🇧 UK/əbˈsɜːdɪti/

🌳Etymology

Rootabsurd
Suffix--ity

Origin

From Latin 'absurdus' meaning 'out of tune' or 'unreasonable', derived from 'ab-' (away from) and 'surdus' (deaf, dull). The suffix '-ity' converts the adjective into a noun denoting a state or quality.

Breakdown

ab- (away from) + surd (deaf, dull) + -ity (state or quality) = absurdity

🎵Rhyme

obscurity
security
purity

🔗Collocations

utter absurdity
sheer absurdity
the absurdity of life
point out the absurdity
laugh at the absurdity
comic absurdity
recognize the absurdity

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The absurdity of wearing a winter coat in summer heat was lost on my fashionable friend.”

😄 Fun example

“He couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of arguing with a chatbot about philosophy.”

“The theater of the absurd explores life's fundamental absurdity.”

“The absurdity of the rule requiring students to ask permission to drink water was finally recognized.”

📚Related Words

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