What is ludicrous? Pronunciation and usage in English

ludicrous means . Learn how to pronounce and use ludicrous through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of ludicrous

ludicrousadjective

/ˈluːdɪkrəs//ˈluːdɪkrəs/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "ludicrous." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables: It's divided into three syllables:

  • Loo-
  • dri-
  • kus

2. Phonetics (Sounds):

  • Loo: This sounds like "loo" as in the greeting – like you’re saying “Hello.” It’s a short “oo” sound (like in "foot").
  • dri: This is a bit trickier. It sounds like "dree" – with a long "ee" sound, but shorter than "tree". Think of the "ee" in "see."
  • kus: This is like "kuss" (as in a kiss), but really short and quick, almost like you’re holding the sound for just a second.

3. Putting it Together:

So, it’s roughly: Loo-dree-kus

4. Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable ("Loo").
  • Don't over-elongate: Don’t stretch out all the syllables equally. It needs to flow smoothly.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. Here are some resources:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you another example word with a similar sound pattern?

Usage and examples with the word ludicrous in English

Let's break down how to use the word "ludicrous" effectively in English. It's a fantastic word for expressing strong disbelief and ridicule, but it's important to use it correctly to avoid misunderstanding.

1. Meaning:

  • Core meaning: "Ludicrous" means utterly ridiculous, absurd, or preposterous. It's more than just silly; it suggests something is so unreasonable that it's almost laughable.
  • It implies: A strong sense of disbelief and a feeling that something is wildly out of proportion or doesn't make sense.

2. How to Use It – Examples & Context:

Here’s a breakdown with examples, categorized by how you'd typically use it:

  • Describing a situation:

    • "The news report about a squirrel stealing a diamond ring is utterly ludicrous." (Highlights absurdity)
    • “His explanation for being late was so ludicrous – he claimed he was abducted by aliens – that no one believed him.” (Strong disbelief)
    • “The price of this handbag is ludicrous! It’s made of plastic and costs £500.” (Highlights unreasonable cost)

  • Describing a person's behavior or statement:

    • "His argument was entirely ludicrous; he was claiming we'd all been replaced by robots!" (Points to a ridiculous claim)
    • “She made a ludicrous suggestion to close the library – it’s a vital community resource.” (Shows her idea is absurd)
    • "Don't listen to him, his ideas are completely ludicrous." (Expresses disbelief in their thoughts)

  • Adding Emphasis (often with “so”):

    • “It was so ludicrous that I almost burst out laughing.” (Highlights the degree of ridiculousness)
    • “The amount of paperwork required for this simple task is absolutely so ludicrous!” (Emphasizes the excessive amount)

3. Important Nuances & Considerations:

  • Stronger than "ridiculous" or "absurd": "Ludicrous" is a more forceful word than those terms. Use it when you genuinely find something profoundly unreasonable.
  • Tone: “Ludicrous” can sound a bit dismissive. Consider your audience and the context. Sometimes, a milder word like “absurd” or “ridiculous” is more appropriate.
  • Formal vs. Informal: It's generally okay in both formal and informal writing and speech, but be mindful of your overall tone.

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings that you might use instead):

  • Preposterous
  • Absurd
  • Ridiculous
  • Nonsensical
  • Fantastic (in a negative way - "That's a fantastic idea! – ludicrous!")
  • Outrageous
  • Wild

5. Example Sentences to Illustrate Different Uses:

  • Negative: "The government's plan for tackling the economy is utterly ludicrous and will only make things worse."
  • Expressing amusement: “The way he tripped over his own feet was so ludicrous that everyone in the room started laughing.”
  • Critical: "Her defense of the company's actions was a ludicrous attempt to deflect blame."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write or say that you're considering using "ludicrous" in? (e.g., a story, an email, a casual conversation?)

Synonyms for the word ludicrous

Practice with vocabulary ludicrous

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The committee dismissed the proposal to fund a new department with an annual budget of only $500 as entirely ________________.
  2. After reviewing the data, the project manager concluded that a six-month delay was a ________________ explanation for the unexpected drop in sales, given the recent market trends.
  3. The consultant's suggestion that we could achieve a 50% increase in productivity by simply eliminating all coffee breaks was met with widespread incredulity and deemed ________________.
  4. Despite the initial skepticism, the company's decision to invest heavily in renewable energy proved to be a ________________ long-term strategy, yielding significant returns.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. Which of the following terms best describe a highly improbable or utterly absurd claim made during a business negotiation? a) rational b) ludicrous c) preposterous d) sound
  2. The idea of launching the new software without any beta testing was considered by most team members to be: a) prudent b) sensible c) ludicrous d) unreasonable
  3. Which options best convey the meaning of something that is capable of being accomplished or put into effect successfully? a) feasible b) impractical c) viable d) unachievable
  4. The financial advisor's plan to pay off a multi-million-dollar debt with a single lottery ticket was universally seen as: a) strategic b) ludicrous c) realistic d) ridiculous
  5. Which of these words would you use to describe a statement that lacks support or is highly questionable? a) credible b) dubious c) unsubstantiated d) verifiable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The notion that a single junior intern could manage an entire international project by themselves was utterly ridiculous. (Rewrite using a form of "ludicrous")
  2. It was absolutely absurd to suggest that the company could double its profits in one quarter without any new product development or marketing efforts. (Rewrite using "ludicrous")
  3. The concept of building a self-sustaining colony on Mars within the next five years is completely impossible with current technology. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "impossible" that is NOT "ludicrous")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The committee dismissed the proposal to fund a new department with an annual budget of only $500 as entirely ludicrous.
  2. After reviewing the data, the project manager concluded that a six-month delay was a plausible explanation for the unexpected drop in sales, given the recent market trends.
  3. The consultant's suggestion that we could achieve a 50% increase in productivity by simply eliminating all coffee breaks was met with widespread incredulity and deemed ludicrous.
  4. Despite the initial skepticism, the company's decision to invest heavily in renewable energy proved to be a rational long-term strategy, yielding significant returns.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. b) ludicrous, c) preposterous
  2. c) ludicrous, d) unreasonable
  3. a) feasible, c) viable
  4. b) ludicrous, d) ridiculous
  5. b) dubious, c) unsubstantiated

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The notion that a single junior intern could manage an entire international project by themselves was ludicrous.
  2. It was ludicrous to suggest that the company could double its profits in one quarter without any new product development or marketing efforts.
  3. The concept of building a self-sustaining colony on Mars within the next five years is inconceivable with current technology.

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