ludicrously
gb/lˈudɪkɹəsli/ us/lˈudɪkɹəsli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
in a ridiculous way
in a very silly or ridiculous way
Usage pattern:
[someone] + [does something] + ludicrously
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use the adjective *ludicrous* where the adverb is needed (e.g., *He behaved ludicrous* → *ludicrously*).
Synonyms
ridiculously (More common and slightly less formal.)
|
absurdly (Often implies the idea is illogical as well as funny.)
|
laughably (Emphasizes that people may actually laugh at it.)
Antonyms
sensibly (In a reasonable, practical way.)
|
seriously (In a sincere, non-joking way.)
Collocations
behave ludicrously
|act ludicrously
|dress ludicrously
|pose ludicrously
|exaggerate ludicrously
|argue ludicrously
|ludicrously overreact
|ludicrously misinterpret
Themes
evaluation
|humor
|criticism
Examples
- He behaved ludicrously during the meeting, turning every question into a joke.
- The actor posed ludicrously for the cameras, clearly trying to get attention.
- They dressed ludicrously for the hike, wearing heavy coats in the heat.
Learner examples
- He acted ludicrously on purpose.
- She behaved ludicrously at the party.
adverb
C1
quantity
2
to an absurd degree
extremely, in a way that seems ridiculous
Usage pattern:
ludicrously + [adjective/adverb]
Common mistake:
Because it is negative/critical, it can sound odd with clearly positive adjectives unless used ironically (e.g., *ludicrously good* is usually humorous).
Synonyms
absurdly (Close in meaning; slightly more neutral and less vivid.)
|
ridiculously (More everyday and widely used.)
|
outrageously (Adds a stronger sense of anger or shock, especially about prices or behavior.)
Antonyms
reasonably (To a fair or acceptable degree.)
|
moderately (To a middle degree; not extreme.)
Collocations
ludicrously expensive
|ludicrously overpriced
|ludicrously cheap
|ludicrously low
|ludicrously high
|ludicrously small
|ludicrously large
|ludicrously easy
|ludicrously complicated
|ludicrously long
Themes
evaluation
|criticism
|money
Examples
- The tickets were ludicrously expensive for such a short show.
- The interest rate is ludicrously high compared with last year.
- He was paid a ludicrously low wage for the amount of work he did.
Learner examples
- This phone is ludicrously expensive.
- The price is ludicrously high.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ludicrously
IPA
GB/lˈudɪkɹəsli/
US/lˈudɪkɹəsli/
Syllables & stress
ludicrously (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (ludicrously)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ludicrously
- Plural: ludicrouslies
Word family
Forms
ludicrouslies
noun
Core family
ludicrous
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
ludicrousness
noun
Expressions
ludicrously so
1/lˈudɪkɹəsli sˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
emphatic: extremely so
used to mean “extremely” in a critical way
Examples
- The rules are strict—ludicrously so, in my opinion.
- It was expensive, ludicrously so, for such a basic meal.
- His confidence was high, ludicrously so given his lack of experience.