skurril

bizarre, grotesquely absurd

adjective skoo-REEL Rare

Origin: from Latin scurrilis (buffoonish), via Italian scurrile

Also means

outlandishly odd

Usage Note

skurril is stronger than drollig or kauzig — it describes something strikingly absurd or surreal, often deliberately so. Common in cultural reviews and descriptions of avant-garde art or humour: ein skurriler Witz — a bizarre joke.

Examples

"Die Komödiantin ist bekannt für ihren skurrilen Humor und ihre unerwarteten Kostüme."

Natural Translation

The comedian is known for her bizarre humour and unexpected costumes.

Literal Translation

The comedian is known for her bizarre humour and her unexpected costumes.

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

How to Memorize German Vocabulary Fast

Memorize German vocabulary fast with a five-step workflow: drill the top 100 words, learn nouns with their article, color-code gender, and use spaced repetition

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

Tipping in Germany: A Visitor's Etiquette Guide

Tipping in Germany means saying your total out loud, not leaving coins. Learn the exact phrases, how much to tip, and the Sie-vs-du etiquette travelers need.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Word Order: The Verb Rules That Trip You Up

German word order comes down to three verb-position rules: the verb is second in main clauses, last after weil and dass, and time comes before place.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

Du vs. Sie: When to Use Each in German

Use Sie with strangers, elders, and at work; use du with friends, family, kids, and peers. Here's how to pick the right German you every time.

June 5, 2026 6 min read