nonsensical (adj.)

"of the nature of nonsense, absurd, foolish," 1650s, from nonsense + -ical. Related: Nonsensically.

Entries linking to nonsensical

"that which is lacking in sense, language or words without meaning or conveying absurd or ridiculous ideas," 1610s, from non- "not" + sense (n.); perhaps influenced by French nonsens. Since mid-20c., non-sense, with the hyphen, has been used to distinguish the meaning "that which is not sense, that which is different from sense," not implying absurdity.

-ical

compound adjectival word-forming element, usually interchangeable with -ic but sometimes with specialized sense (such as historic/historical, politic/political), Middle English, from Late Latin -icalis, from Latin -icus + -alis (see -al (1)). Probably it was needed because the forms in -ic often took on a noun sense (for example physic). Forms in -ical tend to be attested earlier in English than their twins in -ic.

Share nonsensical

‘cite’

Page URL:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/nonsensical

HTML Link:

<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/nonsensical">Etymology of nonsensical by etymonline</a>

APA style:

Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of nonsensical. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/nonsensical

Chicago style:

Harper Douglas, “Etymology of nonsensical,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/nonsensical.

MLA style:

Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of nonsensical.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/nonsensical. Accessed $(datetimeMla).

IEEE style:

D. Harper. “Etymology of nonsensical.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/nonsensical (accessed $(datetime)).

Definitions of nonsensical

nonsensical (adj.)

having no intelligible meaning;

a nonsensical jumble of words

Synonyms: nonsense

nonsensical (adj.)

so unreasonable as to invite derision;

ask a nonsensical question and get a nonsensical answer

Synonyms: absurd / cockeyed / derisory / idiotic / laughable / ludicrous / preposterous / ridiculous

From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near nonsensical

non-resident

non-resistance

non-returnable

non-sectarian

nonsense

nonsensical

non-smoker

non-standard

non-starter

non-stop

nonsuch