ridiculously
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪdˈɪkjʊləsli/
US
- /rəˈdɪkjələsli/
Description
- extremely
- unbelievably
- to an absurd degree
- far more than expected
"Ridiculously" is not only about something being silly. More often, it means something is so extreme, so strong, or so far beyond normal that it feels hard to believe. Imagine seeing a phone case covered in glitter, lights, and tiny wings. That would look ridiculously over-the-top. Or maybe your friend finishes a huge pizza alone. You might say, "That's ridiculously impressive!"
The word comes from "ridiculous," which is linked to the idea of something seeming absurd or laughable. In everyday English, though, "ridiculously" often just pushes a quality to a very high level: ridiculously easy, ridiculously expensive, or ridiculously cute. It can sound playful, but it can also show real annoyance: "It's ridiculously hot in here!"
"Ridiculously" is an adverb used to emphasize the extreme degree of something, often to a point that feels absurd, surprising, funny, or frustrating. It shows that a situation, quality, or action has gone far beyond what seems normal, reasonable, or expected.
Think about it like this: if something is "expensive," it costs a lot of money. But if it's "ridiculously expensive," it's so costly it seems almost absurd! The same logic applies to other qualities. A "long" line might be annoying, but a "ridiculously long" line suggests an endless wait that tests the limits of your patience.
You'll often find "ridiculously" modifying adjectives: "The movie was ridiculously funny," or "She's ridiculously talented." It can also describe the manner of an action: "He ate ridiculously fast," or "It rained ridiculously hard all day."
While it can be used to express admiration ("That cake is ridiculously good!"), it often carries a hint of disbelief or annoyance. If your internet connection keeps failing, you might complain that it's "ridiculously unreliable." It's a flexible word that adds strong emphasis, helping you show that something feels far too much, far beyond normal, or simply hard to believe.
Examples
- 1
Hot drink
This coffee is ridiculously hot.
- 2
Ticket price
The tickets were ridiculously expensive.
- 3
Apartment praise
Her new apartment is ridiculously nice.
- 4
Ease of use
The app is ridiculously easy to use.
- 5
Early travel
We had to get up ridiculously early to catch the first train.
- 6
Unexpected skill
He answered the question ridiculously well for someone with no experience.
- 7
Long meeting
The meeting went on for a ridiculously long time.
- 8
Low prices
They sell fresh vegetables there for ridiculously low prices.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- ridiculouslyadverb