What is ridiculous? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of ridiculous

ridiculousadjective

/rɪˈdɪkjʊləs/
Definition & pronunciation of ridiculous

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

1. Syllables:

The word "ridiculous" is broken down into three syllables:

  • rid - like the word "red"
  • i - short "i" sound, like in "bit"
  • cu - like "cook"
  • lus - like "loose"

2. Phonetic Breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA - helpful for accuracy):

  • ˈrɪdɪkəˌlʌs

Let’s break it down further:

  • ˈrɪd - The first syllable is stressed. The 'r' is a slightly rolled 'r' – think of a very subtle Scottish or Irish 'r' sound. Don't overdo it! It’s often a very light ‘r’.
  • i - Short “i” as in “bit.”
  • dɪ - “di” as in “did”
  • kə - Similar to "cook," but the “u” is a short sound.
  • ˈlʌs - The third syllable is stressed. The ‘u’ is a rounded vowel similar to the 'u' in 'rude'.

3. Putting it Together - A Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Start with "rid": Say "red" but slightly more emphasized.
  2. Add "i": Quickly say "i" as in "bit".
  3. Add "dɪ": Say "di" as in "did".
  4. Add "kə": Say “cook” quickly.
  5. Finish with "lus": Say "loose"

4. Listen to examples:

  • Google it: Simply type "how to pronounce ridiculous" into Google and listen to the audio examples. Hearing it pronounced correctly is incredibly helpful.
  • Forvo: Forvo (https://forvo.com/word/ridiculous/) is a great website with pronunciations from native speakers of various languages.

Tips:

  • Stress: Remember that the first syllable (rid) and then the third syllable (lus) are stressed.
  • Don't over-emphasize the "r": A slight roll is good if you can do it naturally, but it’s often not essential.
  • Practice: Say the word aloud several times to get the rhythm and sounds right.

Would you like me to:

  • Break down any specific part of the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences using "ridiculous"?

Usage and examples with the word ridiculous in English

Let's break down how to use the word "ridiculous" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a range of meanings, so understanding the context is key.

1. Core Meaning: Extremely Funny or Absurd

  • Most Common Use: This is the primary way "ridiculous" is used – to describe something that is extremely funny, silly, or absurd. Think of things that make you laugh out loud.

    • Example: "The clown’s antics were absolutely ridiculous!"
    • Example: "It’s ridiculous how much they’re charging for that coffee." (Here, it means excessively expensive and silly.)

2. Describing Something Unreasonable or Nonsensical

  • Beyond just funny: "Ridiculous" can also be used to describe something that is illogical, impractical, or utterly lacking in sense.

    • Example: "It’s ridiculous to think you can finish that project in one day."
    • Example: “He’s acting ridiculously – he’s yelling at the clouds!” (Meaning he’s being irrational)

3. Expressing Disbelief or Mild Annoyance

  • A slightly stronger reaction: Sometimes, "ridiculous" can express a feeling of frustration or disbelief that something is happening. It’s a bit more emphatic than just saying something is “wrong.”

    • Example: "It’s ridiculous that we have to wait in line for three hours!" (Expressing annoyance at the long wait.)
    • Example: “That's a ridiculous excuse!” (Expressing disbelief that someone is using that as an explanation).

4. Describing Appearance (Less Common Now)

  • Historically: "Ridiculous" used to describe something that was outlandish or unattractive in appearance, particularly clothing. This usage is less common today.

    • Example (Older usage): "That hat is ridiculous!" (Meaning the hat looks silly or odd.) - You'd rarely hear this used this way now.

Here’s a breakdown of how to use it in sentences, with examples:

  • As an adjective (describing a noun):

    • "The movie was absolutely ridiculous." (Funny)
    • "It's ridiculous to wear a suit to the beach." (Unreasonable)
    • "His behavior was ridiculous." (Irrational)

  • As an adverb (modifying a verb): (Less common, but possible)

    • "He ridiculous argued with the waiter." (Very awkward and silly argument - sounds a bit forced) You'd usually say something like “He argued in a ridiculous way.”

Tips for Using “Ridiculous” Effectively:

  • Tone: “Ridiculous” has a slightly informal tone. It's generally okay in casual conversation and writing, but you might not want to use it in very formal situations (like a business report).
  • Intensity: It's a strong word. Consider whether a milder word like “silly,” “absurd,” “crazy,” or “unreasonable” might be more appropriate depending on the context.
  • Pair it with other words: Adding words like “completely,” “totally,” “absolutely,” or “utterly” can amplify the intensity. Example: "It was utterly ridiculous!"

Resources for More Examples:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "ridiculous" in different contexts?
  • Help you brainstorm synonyms for "ridiculous"?
  • Create a sentence using the word in a specific scenario?

Synonyms for the word ridiculous

Idioms of the word ridiculous

from the sublime to the ridiculous
used to describe a situation in which something serious, important or of high quality is followed by something silly, unimportant or of poor quality

    Practice with vocabulary ridiculous

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The project manager dismissed the suggestion as completely __________, arguing it would double the production time without any clear benefit.
    2. After careful consideration of all the data, the committee concluded that the proposed budget increase was entirely __________ and aligned with our financial projections.
    3. When designing presentations, avoid using a font size that is too small; otherwise, the text will be nearly illegible and render the slides __________.
    4. The consultant's recommendation for a complete overhaul of our robust, well-functioning system seemed __________ given the current positive performance metrics.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. Which of the following words best describe a plan that is so illogical and impractical it elicits laughter or scorn? a) rational b) sensible c) ridiculous d) absurd

    2. If a minor detail is considered unimportant and not worth discussing, it is: a) significant b) crucial c) trivial d) essential

    3. The claim that a single intern could complete the entire software development project in one week was met with widespread disbelief and felt utterly __________. a) credible b) preposterous c) ridiculous d) plausible

    4. Despite extensive research, the team struggled to find a __________ solution to the complex engineering problem, indicating that more innovation was needed. a) viable b) impossible c) unworkable d) impractical

    5. The idea of launching a new product without any market research or a clear business model is frankly __________ and highly irresponsible. a) outlandish b) reasonable c) logical d) ridiculous

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The suggestion that employees should work unpaid overtime every weekend struck everyone as extremely unreasonable and foolish. Rewrite using a form of "ridiculous":
    2. It is quite illogical to expect a startup with limited resources to compete directly with multinational corporations from day one. Rewrite using a word that is not "ridiculous" but conveys a similar meaning of extreme unreasonableness:
    3. The notion that an entry-level employee could single-handedly revamp the company's entire IT infrastructure was viewed as profoundly unrealistic by the department head. Rewrite using "ridiculous":

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The project manager dismissed the suggestion as completely ridiculous, arguing it would double the production time without any clear benefit.
    2. After careful consideration of all the data, the committee concluded that the proposed budget increase was entirely reasonable and aligned with our financial projections.
    3. When designing presentations, avoid using a font size that is too small; otherwise, the text will be nearly illegible and render the slides ridiculous.
    4. The consultant's recommendation for a complete overhaul of our robust, well-functioning system seemed unnecessary given the current positive performance metrics.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. c) ridiculous, d) absurd
    2. c) trivial
    3. b) preposterous, c) ridiculous
    4. a) viable
    5. a) outlandish, d) ridiculous

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The suggestion that employees should work unpaid overtime every weekend struck everyone as ridiculous.
    2. It is quite absurd to expect a startup with limited resources to compete directly with multinational corporations from day one.
    3. The notion that an entry-level employee could single-handedly revamp the company's entire IT infrastructure was viewed as profoundly ridiculous by the department head.

    Comment ()