Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words
Definition of preposterous - 3 dictionary results
Save on Books at Amazon
Low Prices on Millions of Books Free 2-Day Shipping w/ Amazon Prime
www.Amazon.com/Books

pre⋅pos⋅ter⋅ous

  [pri-pos-ter-uhs, -truhs]
Use preposterous in a Sentence
–adjective
completely contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd; senseless; utterly foolish: a preposterous tale.
Origin:
1535–45; < L praeposterus with the hinder part foremost. See pre-, posterior, -ous

Related forms:
pre⋅pos⋅ter⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
pre⋅pos⋅ter⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
unreasonable, excessive, ridiculous. See absurd.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To preposterous
Save on Books at Amazon
Low Prices on Millions of Books Free 2-Day Shipping w/ Amazon Prime
www.Amazon.com/Books
pre·pos·ter·ous   (prĭ-pŏs'tər-əs)   
adj.  Contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd. See Synonyms at foolish.

[From Latin praeposterus, inverted, unseasonable : prae-, pre- + posterus, coming behind (from post, behind; see apo- in Indo-European roots).]
pre·pos'ter·ous·ly adv., pre·pos'ter·ous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

preposterous 
c.1540, from L. præposterus "absurd, contrary to nature," lit. "before-behind" (cf. topsy-turvy, cart before the horse), from præ "before" + posterus "subsequent."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see preposterous on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way