German Conversation · Level 7
88 words
German word
absurd
Pronunciation
IPA/apˈzʊɐ̯t/
Meaning
- adjectiveridiculous
Example
Das ist absurder, als ich dachte.
That is more ridiculous than I thought.
More examples
Seine Erklärung klang völlig absurd.
His explanation sounded utterly absurd.
Core concept
A claim or situation so far outside logic that ordinary common sense cannot make it fit.
Common phrases
eine absurde Idee
a ridiculous idea
völlig absurd
utterly absurd
Similar words
lächerlich: So laughably foolish that it deserves mockery.
unsinnig: Making no sense or serving no sensible purpose.
unlogisch: Not consistent with the rules of sound reasoning.
abwegig: Straying far from the facts or the likely course of events.
Definition in German
Unlogisch oder widersinnig, also dem gesunden Menschenverstand widersprechend.
Word origin
German absurd comes from Latin absurdus, meaning discordant or out of tune, and developed into the sense of being irrational or ridiculous.
Usage tips
- As a predicate adjective, absurd stays unchanged in Das ist absurd; before a noun, it takes normal adjective endings, as in eine absurde Idee.