Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Arousing or provoking laughter: Something that is "laughable" is so silly, absurd, or ridiculous that it causes people to laugh or feel amusement.
   • Deserving scorn or derision; absurdly inadequate or unreasonable: "Laughable" can also describe something that is so clearly foolish, illogical, or insufficient that it is worthy of mockery or contempt.

Usage and Examples

• Describing something silly or amusing:
  • His attempt to fix the car with tape was laughable. (It was so silly and ineffective that it made people laugh.)
  • The comedian's laughable impressions had the entire audience in stitches.
• Describing something absurdly inadequate or worthy of scorn:
  • The company's offer of a one-dollar raise was laughable. (It was so small and unreasonable that it invited scorn.)
  • It is laughable to think you can learn a language in one day. (The idea is absurd and not to be taken seriously.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be laughable": Often used with the verb "to be" to state that a situation, idea, or thing is ridiculous.
  • The accusations against him are laughable; everyone knows he's innocent.
• Used to express strong disagreement or dismissal of an idea as preposterous.
  • The suggestion that we should work all weekend is simply laughable.

Variants and Related Words

• Laughably (adverb): In a manner that is ridiculous or causes laughter.
  • The project was laughably over budget.
• Laugh (verb/noun): The root word, meaning to make the spontaneous sounds and movements of the face and body that are the instinctive expressions of lively amusement.
• Risible (adjective): A more formal synonym meaning provoking laughter.

Synonyms

• Absurd: Wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate.
• Ridiculous: Deserving or inviting derision or mockery; absurd.
• Preposterous: Contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous.
• Comical: Amusing, especially in a ludicrous or absurd way.

Antonyms

• Serious: Demanding careful consideration or application; not joking or trifling.
• Reasonable: Having sound judgment; fair and sensible.
• Sensible: Done or chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence; practical.

Idioms and Phrases

• A laughable excuse: An excuse that is so poor it is ridiculous.
  • Saying "the dog ate my homework" is a laughable excuse.
• Beyond laughable: So absurd that it surpasses even being funny and becomes offensive or pathetic.
  • Their lack of preparation for the crisis was beyond laughable; it was tragic.

Adjective

1. arousing or provoking laughter
   • an amusing film with a steady stream of pranks and pratfalls
   • an amusing fellow
   • a comic hat
   • a comical look of surprise
   • funny stories that made everybody laugh
   • a very funny writer
   • it would have been laughable if it hadn't hurt so much
   • a mirthful experience
   • risible courtroom antics
2. incongruous; inviting ridicule
   • the absurd excuse that the dog ate his homework
   • that's a cockeyed idea
   • ask a nonsensical question and get a nonsensical answer
   • a contribution so small as to be laughable
   • it is ludicrous to call a cottage a mansion
   • a preposterous attempt to turn back the pages of history
   • her conceited assumption of universal interest in her rather dull children was ridiculous