ludicrous
Meaning: So foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing or worthy of derision. Stronger than 'absurd' and more contemptuous than 'silly.'
Ludicrous implies that something is not merely wrong but laughably so. It is commonly used in journalism and parliamentary debate to dismiss proposals, claims, or prices. It collocates strongly with 'suggestion,' 'claim,' 'amount,' 'idea,' and 'situation.' The adverb 'ludicrously' is equally current, especially before adjectives — 'ludicrously expensive,' 'ludicrously easy.'
Examples
- The suggestion that a single crossing patrol could serve three schools was ludicrous. 认为一个护路员就能服务三所学校的建议简直荒谬绝伦。La sugerencia de que un solo agente de cruce escolar pudiera atender tres colegios era ridícula.交通誘導員1人で3校をまかなえるという提案は馬鹿げていた。교통안전 지도원 한 명이 학교 세 곳을 담당할 수 있다는 제안은 터무니없었다.
- Property prices in central London have reached ludicrous levels, with garages selling for six figures. 伦敦市中心的房价已经达到荒唐的水平,车库都能卖出六位数。Los precios inmobiliarios en el centro de Londres han alcanzado niveles ridículos, con garajes que se venden por cifras de seis dígitos.ロンドン中心部の不動産価格は法外な水準に達し、ガレージが6桁の値段で売られている。런던 중심부의 부동산 가격은 가히 말도 안 되는 수준에 이르러, 차고가 여섯 자릿수에 거래되고 있다.
- It would be ludicrous to pretend that the policy has achieved any of its stated objectives. 假装这项政策已实现了其任何既定目标,那是荒谬可笑的。Sería ridículo pretender que la política ha logrado alguno de los objetivos declarados.この政策が掲げた目標のいずれかを達成したと取り繕うのは、滑稽としか言いようがない。이 정책이 명시한 목표 중 어느 하나라도 달성했다고 우기는 것은 우스꽝스러운 일이다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, general
Tone: contemptuous
Origin & History
From Latin ludicrus (sportive, pertaining to play), from ludus (play, game, sport). Entered English in the early 17th century, gradually acquiring its modern sense of the absurdly laughable.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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