Ludicrous in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

Ludicrous is an adjective meaning so foolish or unreasonable that it invites laughter. To use ludicrous in a sentence, put it before the noun it mocks: “They charged a ludicrous price for a paper cup.” The word carries open scorn, so it lands harder than silly.

Ludicrous at a glance

• Ludicrous is an adjective; its adverb is ludicrously and its noun, rare, is ludicrousness.
• It usually sits before a noun: a ludicrous claim, a ludicrous price.
• It also works with it is ludicrous to or that plus a clause.
• Its register is emphatic and mocking, common in opinion and in speech.
• The commonest error is using it for mild silliness, where silly is the honest word.

What does ludicrous mean?

Ludicrous is an adjective meaning so unreasonable or out of place that it seems laughable. The Cambridge entry for ludicrous pairs it with absurd and ridiculous, and that is the right company: it names a gap between what is claimed and what is believable. It stands close to absurd and to risible, which leans more openly comic.

One limitation is worth stating plainly. Ludicrous is a strong, scornful word, and using it about a person rather than an idea can sound cruel. Where the fault is trivial, silly or odd is both gentler and more accurate.

How do you use ludicrous in a sentence?

Ludicrous works in front of a noun, or after it is and a linking verb when the judgement comes with a clause. The five patterns below cover almost every real sentence.

Ludicrous in a sentence: examples across contexts

Ludicrous changes target more than meaning. The nine sentences below move from a classroom to a legal argument, and each names what is being judged unreasonable.

Only the review treats ludicrous as a compliment in disguise, which is a useful reminder that the word measures the gap between claim and sense, not the mood of the writer.

Ludicrous vs absurd and preposterous

Ludicrous, absurd and preposterous describe the same failure of sense at different strengths. farcical adds the idea of a comic mess. Absurd is the broadest term; ludicrous adds the sting of ridicule.

Verdict: choose absurd for a plain failure of reason, preposterous for something beyond belief, and ludicrous when the failure is funny enough to be mocked.

Word forms and grammar of ludicrous

Ludicrous forms an adverb in -ly, ludicrously, and a rare noun, ludicrousness. The word never changes for number or tense because it is an adjective, and the table lists the forms a learner needs.

Common mistakes with ludicrous

• Incorrect: It was ludicrous of her to check the figures carefully. Correct: It was judicious of her to check the figures carefully. Rule: Judicious means sensible and is the opposite of ludicrous.
• Incorrect: The rules are ludicrously. Correct: The rules are ludicrous. Rule: Ludicrous is the adjective; ludicrously must modify a verb or another adjective.
• Incorrect: He ludicroussed the idea. Correct: He called the idea ludicrous. Rule: Ludicrous is an adjective, never a verb.
• Incorrect: It is ludicrous that she is late by two minutes. Correct: It is silly that she is late by two minutes. Rule: Ludicrous is too strong for a trivial fault and will sound disproportionate.
• Incorrect: She is a ludicrous person. Correct: She had a ludicrous idea. Rule: Aim the word at the idea rather than the person to avoid sounding cruel.

Practice using ludicrous

Work through the six items, then check the reasoning, not only the key.

1. Fill the gap: They asked a ______ sum for a ticket to the school play.
2. Choose the better word: Writing down the fire drill twice was (silly / ludicrous).
3. Correct the error: The rules are ludicrously.
4. Build a sentence: use it is ludicrous that about a form that asks for a fax number.
5. Spot the register: which belongs in a serious opinion piece — the fine is ludicrous for a first offence, or that fine is, like, so ludicrous?
6. Rewrite with the adverb: They were ludicrous in their confidence. Use ludicrously.

Answers

1. ludicrous — the price is unreasonable enough to invite laughter.
2. silly — a double fire drill is trivial, and ludicrous would overstate the fault.
3. The rules are ludicrous — ludicrously must modify a verb or another adjective.
4. Model answer: It is ludicrous that the form asks for a fax number.
5. The fine is ludicrous for a first offence — a serious piece keeps the formal register.
6. They were ludicrously confident — the adverb modifies the adjective confident.

The bottom line

Use ludicrous in a sentence to judge something so unreasonable that it turns funny, and aim it at the claim rather than the person. The two nuances that decide most sentences are that ludicrous is a strong, scornful word, and that it measures the gap between claim and sense rather than the mood of the writer. Where the tone is light rather than mocking, comical describes the same scene without the judgement.

Frequently asked questions about ludicrous

Is ludicrous stronger than silly?

Yes, much stronger. Silly describes something mildly foolish and is gentle enough for children. Ludicrous means the foolishness is so extreme that it becomes laughable, and it carries open scorn, so it suits a broken promise better than a dropped pencil.

Is ludicrous a synonym for funny?

No, though it overlaps with the funny side of a situation. Ludicrous means unreasonable enough to be laughed at, so the laughter is a reaction to absurdity, not the aim of the word. A joke is funny on purpose; a ludicrous rule is funny by accident.

What is the adverb of ludicrous?

The adverb is ludicrously, meaning in an absurd or laughable way. It usually modifies an adjective, as in ludicrously cheap, or a verb, as in he ludicrously claimed to be an expert. The rare noun ludicrousness names the quality itself.

Can ludicrous describe a person?

It can, but carefully. Applied to a person it suggests that the whole individual is laughable, which sounds cruel, so most writers attach it to a claim, price or plan instead. Saying the idea is ludicrous criticises the argument without insulting the person who made it.

Have you ever come across a sentence that seemed utterly absurd or ridiculous? That’s what we call a “ludicrous” example sentence. “Ludicrous” is a word used to describe something that is so foolish, unreasonable, or exaggerated that it almost seems comical.

These types of sentences push the boundaries of logic and rationality, often leaving the reader surprised or bewildered by their sheer absurdity. In the realm of language, “ludicrous” example sentences serve as entertaining and unconventional ways to showcase the versatility and creativity of words.

7 Examples Of Ludicrous Used In a Sentence For Kids

• The clown’s big red nose looked ludicrous.
• The monkey wearing a top hat was quite ludicrous.
• The giraffe with a funny hat looked ludicrous.
• The penguin dancing in a tutu seemed ludicrous.
• The elephant balancing on a ball was very ludicrous.
• The tiger wearing sunglasses looked ludicrous.
• The frog playing a tiny saxophone was quite ludicrous.

14 Sentences with Ludicrous Examples

1. Ludicrous excuses for not submitting assignments on time will not be tolerated by professors.
2. It is ludicrous to expect to score high marks without putting in the required effort.
3. Spending all night studying for an exam and then sleeping through the test would be quite ludicrous.
4. The idea of skipping class regularly and still expecting to pass with flying colors is simply ludicrous.
5. It would be ludicrous to believe that a last-minute cramming session will result in a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
6. Trying to plagiarize a research paper and passing it off as your own work is not only dishonest but also ludicrous.
7. It is ludicrous to think that partying every night and maintaining good academic standing can go hand in hand.
8. Choosing a major solely based on what your friends are studying is a ludicrous decision.
9. Wearing pajamas to an important presentation would be considered quite ludicrous by most professors.
10. Giving a presentation without any preparation is not only unprofessional but also ludicrous.
11. Believing that a single all-nighter can make up for weeks of missed lectures is ludicrous.
12. Insisting on using outdated sources for a research project is considered ludicrous in academia.
13. Trying to pass off someone else’s work as your own is not only unethical but also ludicrous.
14. Expecting to excel in exams without attending lectures or studying is simply ludicrous.

How To Use Ludicrous in Sentences?

To use the word Ludicrous in a sentence, you can follow these simple steps. First, make sure you understand the meaning of Ludicrous, which refers to something that is absurd or ridiculous in a humorous way.

Next, think of a situation or scenario where you find something extremely funny or unbelievable. For example, “The idea of a penguin riding a unicycle is ludicrous.”

When constructing your sentence, place the word Ludicrous in a position that emphasizes the absurdity or humor of the situation. Make sure the context of your sentence supports the use of the word Ludicrous.

To add detail or provide more clarity to your sentence, you can include additional information or descriptions. For example, “The amount of cheese on that pizza is ludicrous; it’s practically overflowing!”

Remember to pay attention to the tone and context of your sentence to ensure that Ludicrous is used appropriately. Consider the audience you are speaking or writing to, and adjust your sentence accordingly.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate the word Ludicrous into your vocabulary and communication to convey humor and absurdity in a clear and engaging way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the sentences with the word “ludicrous” serve to highlight the absurdity or extreme nature of a situation, drawing attention to its ridiculousness. These sentences often depict scenarios that are far-fetched, exaggerated, or laughably unreasonable. By using “ludicrous” in sentences, writers convey a sense of incredulity and disbelief towards the subject matter, inviting readers to question the sanity or logic behind it.

Through the use of “ludicrous” in sentences, the tone may become comedic, satirical, or critical, depending on the context in which it is used. Overall, sentences with “ludicrous” are effective in emphasizing the sheer outlandishness of a situation, prompting readers to reconsider their perceptions and prompting reflection on the irrationality or absurdity of the described events.