risible

ris·i·ble

adjective \ˈri-zə-bəl\

Definition of RISIBLE

1

a : capable of laughing

b : disposed to laugh

2

: arousing or provoking laughter; especially : laughable

3

: associated with, relating to, or used in laughter <risible muscles>

— ris·i·bly \-blē\ adverb

Examples of RISIBLE

1. The suggestion was downright risible.
2. <a risible comment that made the whole class laugh>

Origin of RISIBLE

Late Latin risibilis, from Latin risus, past participle of ridēre to laugh

First Known Use: 1557

Related to RISIBLE

Synonyms

antic, chucklesome, comedic, comic, comical, droll, farcical, hilarious, humoristic, humorous, hysterical (also hysteric), killing, laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous, riotous, funny, screaming, sidesplitting, uproarious

Antonyms

humorless, lame, unamusing, uncomic, unfunny, unhumorous, unhysterical

Related Words

amusing, diverting, entertaining; clownish, knockabout, slapstick, slapsticky, zany; facetious, flip, flippant, pert, smart, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, snickery; jocular, playful, waggish; campy, jokey (also joky); priceless, rich, whimsical, witty, wry; blithesome, gleeful, jocose, jocund, jolly, jovial, laughing, mad, merry, mirthful

Near Antonyms

earnest, grave, no-nonsense, sedate, serious, severe, sober, sobersided, solemn, somber (or sombre), staid, unsmiling, weighty; affecting, moving, poignant, touching, tragic (also tragical); lachrymose, mournful, sad, sorrowful, tearful, woeful

Rhymes with RISIBLE

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