adj.
Pronunciation: ' la-f ə -b ə l, ' lä-
Function: adjective
Date: 1596
: of a kind to provoke laughter or sometimes derision : amusingly ridiculous
– laugh · able · ness noun
– laugh · ably \ -bl ē \ adverb
synonyms LAUGHABLE , LUDICROUS , RIDICULOUS , COMIC , COMICAL mean provoking laughter or mirth. LAUGHABLE applies to anything occasioning laughter < laughable attempts at skating>. LUDICROUS suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn <a thriller with a ludicrous plot>. RIDICULOUS suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility <a ridiculous display of anger>. COMIC applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement <a comic character>. COMICAL applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity <a comical hat>.