Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/hɪˈlɛə.rɪ.əs/

Definitions

• Adjective: Extremely funny or amusing, often causing laughter.
• Used to describe people, events, or situations that provoke great amusement or laughter.

Usage Examples

• "The comedian's performance was absolutely hilarious; the audience was in stitches the entire time."
• "Her hilarious jokes had everyone in the room laughing uncontrollably."
• "It was a hilarious situation when the dog started wearing the owner's shoes."

Etymology

The word "hilarious" comes from the Latin word "hilaris," which means cheerful, merry, or joyful. The term has been in use in the English language since the early 18th century, initially describing something that induces joy or high spirits. Over time, the meaning expanded to describe something extremely funny.

Synonyms

• Funny
• Amusing
• Comical
• Entertaining
• Hilar
• Side-splitting

Antonyms

• Serious
• Somber
• Unamusing
• Gloomy
• Boring

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In some regions, "hilarious" may be pronounced with emphasis on different syllables, e.g., in more casual speech, the first syllable may be stressed: /hɪˈlɛə.rɪ.əs/ may become /hɪˈlæɹ.əs/ in some dialects.

Historical Usage

The word "hilarious" has been in the English lexicon since the 18th century. It was primarily used to describe joyful or high-spirited people and events. As the use of humor in entertainment expanded, it began to be more commonly used in reference to something that was extremely funny or laugh-out-loud humorous.

Cultural Nuances

In contemporary culture, "hilarious" is widely used in everyday language and social media to describe jokes, memes, viral videos, and situations that are found highly amusing. It is often used in informal settings and is considered a positive, lighthearted term.

More Information

"Hilarious" is a staple in comedic vocabulary. It is used to describe moments that bring about great joy or laughter, often in performances, films, and TV shows. The word has strong associations with humor and is regularly used in informal contexts. It has also become widely used in popular culture, including social media, as a descriptor for anything found amusing or highly entertaining.