adjective
hysterical
hih-STEH-rih-kuhl
adjective
1
Overcome with extreme, uncontrollable emotion, especially fear or distress.
"She became hysterical after hearing the news."
2
Informal: extremely funny.
"His impression of the teacher was hysterical."
How to Use Hysterical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "out of control emotionally" or, casually, "hilarious."
When to use it
The "extremely funny" sense is informal and common in spoken English.
Word Forms
more hysterical comparative, most hysterical superlative
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Etymology
From hysteric + -al, ultimately from Greek hystera ("womb").