Risible

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈrɪzɪbÉ™l/, /ˈraɪzÉ™bÉ™l/

Origin

From French risible. from Late Latin rīsibilis, rīsus ("laughter") + -ibilis, from the perfect passive participle of rīdeō ("laugh").

Full definition of risible

Adjective

1. Of or pertaining to laughterthe risible muscles
• 1912, Arthur Quiller-Couch, Hocken and Hunken, ch. 20:A joke merely affected her with silent convulsive twitchings, as though the risible faculties struggled somewhere within her but could not bring the laugh to birth.
2. Provoking laughter; ludicrous; ridiculous; humorously insignificant
• 1822, Sir_Walter_Scott, Peveril of the Peak, ch. 34:"I hope you find nothing risible in my complaisance?" replied his companion.
3. (of a person) Easily laughing; prone to laughter
• Dr H. MoreIt has been made the definition of man that he is risible.
• 1897, Thomas_Hardy, The Well-Beloved. ch. 8:She was half risible, half concerned.

Synonyms

• (provoking laughter) funny, laughable, ludicrous