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.

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

German Numbers 1–100: Why 21 Is Said Backwards

German numbers 1 to 100 reverse the digits: 21 is einundzwanzig (one-and-twenty). Learn the und rule, the irregulars, and how to hear prices fast.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Two-Way Prepositions: Accusative or Dative?

Use accusative for movement into a place (wohin?) and dative for a fixed location (wo?). Master all nine German two-way prepositions with one simple test.

June 9, 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