absurd

English

/əbˈzɜːd/, /əbˈsɜːd/, /æbˈsɝd/, /æbˈzɝd/

adj
Definitions
  • Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; silly.
  • (obsolete) Inharmonious; dissonant.
  • Having no rational or orderly relationship to people's lives; meaningless; lacking order or value.
  • Dealing with absurdism.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French absurde derived from Latin absurdus (discordant, incongruous, dissonant, unreasonable, senseless, disconsonant, out of tune).

Origin

Latin

absurdus

Gloss

discordant, incongruous, dissonant, unreasonable, senseless, disconsonant, out of tune

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms