French Conversation · Level 18
89 words
French word
ridicule
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁidikyl/
Meaning
- adjectiveridiculous
Example
C'est ridicule.
That's ridiculous.
More examples
Sa réaction était ridicule.
His reaction was ridiculous.
Core concept
A person or situation so absurd or out of place that it invites laughter and loses respect.
Common phrases
avoir l'air ridicule
look ridiculous
paraître ridicule
appear ridiculous
absolument ridicule
absolutely ridiculous
Similar words
drôle: Amusing in a way that makes people laugh.
amusant: Enjoyable enough to make an occasion or activity more pleasant.
comique: Humorous because of the way a situation or behavior invites laughter.
absurde: Lacking sense in a blatantly foolish way.
Definition in French
Qui suscite le rire ou le mépris parce que c'est absurde ou inapproprié.
Word origin
French ridicule comes from Latin ridiculus, meaning 'causing laughter,' which derives from ridere, 'to laugh.'
Usage tips
- When ridicule describes a person or their actions, it often sounds insulting rather than simply meaning funny.
Other meanings
- sillyadjective
- mockerynoun
Related words
- ridiculiserridiculeverb
- ridiculementridiculouslyadverb
- ridiculisationderisionnoun