French Conversation · Level 85
60 words
French word
saugrenu
Pronunciation
IPA/sogʁəny/
Meaning
- adjectiveabsurd
Example
Son idée est saugrenue.
His idea is absurd.
More examples
Ta remarque est saugrenue dans ce contexte.
Your remark is bizarre in this context.
Core concept
A plan that veers so far from the expected path that it looks absurd.
Common phrases
une idée saugrenue
a bizarre idea
une proposition saugrenue
a bizarre proposal
Similar words
étrange: Unfamiliar or unexpected in a way that feels strange.
bizarre: Strikingly odd and outside what is considered normal.
absurde: Contrary to reason and therefore seeming foolish.
ridicule: Foolish or absurd in a way that makes it laughable.
Definition in French
Qui paraît absurde ou déraisonnable parce qu'il s'écarte des usages ou du bon sens attendus.
Word origin
The adjective saugrenu is traced to medieval French forms, with -enu as an adjectival ending, while the stem's earlier origin remains uncertain.
Usage tips
- Saugrenu is somewhat literary and often lightly ironic, while bizarre is more neutral in everyday speech.
Other meanings
- incongruousadjective
Opposites
- raisonnablereasonableadjective
- sensésensibleadjective