risible

comparative more risible · superlative most risible

1. Of or pertaining to laughter.

   the risible muscles

   1 more example

   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.

   1912, Arthur Quiller-Couch, chapter 20, in Hocken and Hunken

2. Provoking laughter; ludicrous; ridiculous; humorously insignificant.

   Do you find it risible when I say the name, 'Biggus Dickus'?

   1979, Monty Python's Life of Brian, spoken by Pontius Pilate (Michael Palin)

   2 more examples

   "[…] I hope you find nothing risible in my complaisance?" replied his companion, something jealously.

   1822, [Walter Scott], chapter XI, in Peveril of the Peak. […], volume III, Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC, page 277

   Whelan called the offer "risible", describing it as a "land grab for all the terms and conditions we have negotiating over the years". He demanded a no-strings pay offer that recognises the "significant cost of living increases" since the last pay rise in 2019.

   2024 May 1, Mel Holley, “Network News: New action from ASLEF to hit Bank Holiday services”, in RAIL, number 1008, page 14

   Synonyms: funny, laughable, ludicrous

3. formalEasily laughing; prone to laughter.

   She was half risible, half concerned.

   1897, Thomas Hardy, chapter 8, in The Well-Beloved

   1 more example

   We are got indeed into a merry world, Laughing is our main buſiniſs; as if becauſe it has bin made part of the Definition of man, that he his Riſible, his man-hood conſiſted in nothing elſe.

   1674, Anonymous [Richard Allestree?], “Of Scoffing and Deriſion”, in The Government of the Tongue, At the Theater in Oxford, page 119