Spanish Conversation · Level 139
45 words
Spanish word
despropósito
Pronunciation
IPA/despɾoˈposito/
Meaning
- masculine nounnonsense
Example
Es un despropósito gastar tanto dinero.
It's nonsense to spend so much money.
More examples
Decir eso en público es un despropósito.
Saying that in public is an absurdity.
Core concept
A clearly absurd, purposeless action or plan.
Common phrases
es un despropósito
an absurdity
un despropósito
an absurdity
Similar words
absurdo: An idea or situation that makes no logical sense and contradicts reason.
tontería: A silly or trivial remark or action that shows lack of sense or seriousness.
disparate: A wildly unreasonable or extreme action or claim that defies common sense.
Definition in Spanish
Califica una acción, idea o situación claramente absurda, sin sentido o carente de propósito.
Word origin
It comes from the negative prefix des- plus propósito (from Latin propositum, pro- 'forth' + ponere 'to place'), literally denoting lack of purpose.
Usage tips
- It is commonly used in the fixed judgmental phrase es un despropósito to condemn a plan, price, or policy, and speakers often prefer a milder word such as absurdo in formal contexts.
Other meanings
- absurditynoun
Opposites
- sensatezsound judgmentnoun
- cordurasanitynoun
Related words
- despropositadomisguidedadjective
- despropositadamentemisguidedlyadverb