Laughable
/ˈlæfəbəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsArousing laughter; amusing or ridiculous.
/ˈlæfəbəl/
Causing laughter; amusing
The comedian's performance was filled with laughable anecdotes.
💡 Simply: Something is laughable when it's so funny or silly that it makes you laugh. Like a clown's act or a very silly mistake someone makes!
👶 For kids: Something that's laughable is super funny and makes you want to laugh!
More Examples
The old, outdated technology was laughable compared to the new advancements.
His attempt at singing was quite laughable.
How It's Used
"His jokes were so laughable, everyone was in stitches."
"The situation was so absurd and laughable that even the stoic characters couldn't help but smile."
So bad or ridiculous that it provokes laughter or scorn.
/ˈlæfəbəl/
Deserving to be laughed at; absurd
The idea that they could win was laughable.
💡 Simply: Something is laughable when it's so bad or silly that it's almost funny, but you also think it's not good. Like when someone tries to do something really difficult but fails completely!
👶 For kids: When something is laughable, it's so bad or silly that it makes you want to laugh *at* it.
More Examples
His clumsy attempts at dancing were laughable.
The price they offered was laughable.
How It's Used
"Their excuse for being late was laughable."
"The level of corruption was, quite frankly, laughable."
Idioms & expressions
Laughing stock
A person or thing that is ridiculed or made fun of.
"After that embarrassing performance, he became the laughing stock of the office."
From Middle English *laughable*, equivalent to laugh + -able. The suffix '-able' indicates 'capable of being' or 'deserving of'.
The word 'laughable' has been used since the 16th century, initially to describe something that is apt to cause laughter, and then later to describe something deserving of ridicule.
Memory tip
Think of a situation so silly it makes you laugh.
Word Origin
"To express mirth or amusement, or to show scorn"