hilarious
hih-LEH-uh-ree-uhs
Hilarious (adj) means Extremely funny; causing loud laughter. Example: “We laughed until we cried at the hilarious story about his holiday.”
adj
1
Extremely funny; causing loud laughter.
"We laughed until we cried at the hilarious story about his holiday."
"The comedian's new routine was absolutely hilarious."
"It was hilarious watching him try to parallel park."
"Do you like Monty Python? I think they're hilarious."
How to use hilarious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo funny it makes you laugh out loud.
Common pairings
absolutely hilarious
find something hilarious
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more hilarious
- Superlative
- most hilarious
Fill the gap
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We laughed until we cried at the _____ story about his holiday.
Etymology
A learned borrowing based on Latin hilaris ("cheerful"), which itself comes from the Ancient Greek hilarós, meaning "cheerful" or "merry."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for hilarious
See all rhymes for hilarious →Frequently asked questions
What does “hilarious” mean?
The word “hilarious” means extremely funny; causing loud laughter. In plain terms, so funny it makes you laugh out loud.
How do you pronounce “hilarious”?
“Hilarious” is pronounced hih-LEH-uh-ree-uhs (/hɪˈlɛ(ə)ɹ.i.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “hilarious” in a sentence?
Here is “hilarious” used in a sentence: “The comedian's new routine was absolutely hilarious.”
What part of speech is “hilarious”?
“Hilarious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “hilarious” come from?
The word “hilarious” comes from Ancient Greek. A learned borrowing based on Latin hilaris ("cheerful"), which itself comes from the Ancient Greek hilarós, meaning "cheerful" or "merry.".
Is “hilarious” a common word?
“Hilarious” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "hilarious" and "funny"?
"Funny" describes anything mildly to strongly amusing, while "hilarious" is stronger and means extremely funny, enough to cause loud laughter. Something hilarious sits at the top end of the funny scale.
When should you use "hilarious" instead of "amusing"?
Use "hilarious" for things that make people laugh out loud, and "amusing" for something gently entertaining that raises a smile. "Amusing" is mild, while "hilarious" is emphatic.
Is "hilarious" too informal for formal writing?
"Hilarious" is a fairly informal, emphatic word best suited to conversation, reviews, and casual writing. In formal or academic contexts, milder terms such as "amusing" or "humorous" are usually preferred.
What are common collocations with "hilarious"?
Common phrases include "absolutely hilarious," "utterly hilarious," "hilarious joke," "hilarious story," and "found it hilarious." It is often paired with strong intensifiers because it already conveys a high degree of funniness.
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