absurdity

/əbˈsɜːdəti/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈsɜːrdəti/ (ame, ipa) · /əb-ˈsər-də-tē -ˈzər-/ (ame, mw)

absurdity — noun

  • absurditysingular
  • absurditiesplural

1. the state of being so unreasonable or silly that it seems laughable

1.名詞C1
釋義

the state of being so unreasonable or silly that it seems laughable

例句

The absurdity of charging children to use the school toilet shocked parents.

the absurdity of + -ing

Even Marta laughed at the absurdity of the rumor by lunchtime.

同義詞
  • ridiculousness

    close in meaning, but often sounds less formal than absurdity

  • irrationality

    focuses more strongly on the lack of logic

  • silliness

    can sound lighter or less critical than absurdity

反義詞

文法句型

the absurdity of + noun/-ing

用法筆記

Usually uncountable and often followed by of + noun or -ing to name the situation that seems ridiculous.

常見錯誤

❌The absurdity in the rule made everyone angry.
✅The absurdity of the rule made everyone angry.
💡absurdity is usually followed by 'of' when you name what seems ridiculous.

2. a situation, idea, or action that is obviously foolish or makes no sense

2.名詞C1
釋義

a situation, idea, or action that is obviously foolish or makes no sense

例句

That rule is an absurdity in a town with no buses.

an absurdity

To ban umbrellas in a rainy city is an absurdity.

同義詞
  • folly

    often stresses a foolish action that brings bad results

  • nonsense

    can refer to words or ideas with no sensible meaning

  • farce

    suggests a ridiculous situation, often with public embarrassment

文法句型

an absurdity

one absurdity after another

用法筆記

Often countable after an or another when you mean one foolish rule, idea, or event rather than the general quality.

常見錯誤

❌It was an absurdity weather for a picnic.
✅It was absurd weather for a picnic.
💡absurdity is a noun for a foolish thing, while absurd is the adjective.