What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ridiculous
Example
It's ridiculous to think that a cat can fly. [ridiculous: adjective]
Example
The price of that shirt is ridiculous, no one would pay that much. [ridiculous: adjective]
foolish
Example
It would be foolish to go outside without a coat in the middle of winter. [foolish: adjective]
Example
I felt foolish for forgetting my own birthday. [foolish: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Foolish is more commonly used than ridiculous in everyday language. Foolish is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ridiculous is less common and often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ridiculous and foolish?
Both ridiculous and foolish can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but foolish is generally considered more formal than ridiculous.
