absurd

Everyday

1. Very silly and not making sense; ridiculous. tree →
2. So unreasonable it is laughable: «an absurd price». tree →

In the lessons

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is full of the absurd: a cat that grins and vanishes, a tea party where it is always six o'clock, a trial where the verdict comes before the evidence. In maths, a question may have an absurd answer (like −3 people or 2.5 buses), which tells you to check your working. Phrases: «that's absurd», «utterly absurd», «the absurd».

Examples

• It's absurd to wear a coat in this heat! tree →
• The Mad Hatter's riddle had an absurd answer – or none at all. tree →
• The price of the toy was absurd. tree →
• Alice thought the whole trial was absurd. tree →
• An answer of 2.5 buses is absurd – we need 3 buses. tree →
• His excuse was so absurd that everyone laughed. tree →
• "What an absurd idea," said the hen. tree →

Note

Said «ab-SURD» or «ab-ZURD». Noun: absurdity. Adverb: absurdly. Maths: an absurd answer is a sign to check your working again.