rid´i|cul´er

rid|i|cule «RIHD uh kyool», verb, -culed, -cul|ing, noun.

–v.t.

to laugh at; make fun of; mock: »

Sometimes boys ridicule their sisters' friends. My father discouraged me by ridiculing my performances (Benjamin Franklin).

╂[< noun]

–n.

1. laughter in mockery; words or actions that make fun of somebody or something: »

Silly mistakes and odd clothes often invite ridicule.

SYNONYM(S): derision.

2. Archaic. ridiculous quality: »

to see the ridicule of this monstrous practice (Joseph Addison).

3. Archaic. something ridiculous.

╂[< French ridicule < Middle French, adjective < Latin rīdiculum, neuter of rīdiculus; see etym. under ridiculous (Cf. ↑ridiculous)]

–rid´i|cul´er, noun.

Synonym Study transitive verb. Ridicule, deride, mock mean to make fun of someone or something and cause him or it to be laughed at. Ridicule emphasizes making fun of a person or thing, in either a good-natured or an unkind way, with the intention of making him or it seem little and unimportant: »

Boys ridicule their sisters' friends.

Deride emphasizes laughing in contempt and holding up to scorn: »

Some people deride patriotic rallies and parades.

Mock means to ridicule in a scornful way: »

The impudent boys mocked the teacher.