First Known Use: circa 1840
Dictionary
hilarious
adjective hi·lar·i·ous \hi-ˈler-ē-əs, hī-\
: very funny
Full Definition of HILARIOUS
See hilarious defined for English-language learners
See hilarious defined for kids
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Examples of HILARIOUS
- Raymond is different, so well written and acted, so perfectly pitched, that even the silences, especially the silences, are hilarious. It makes comedy look easy. —James Morris, Wilson Quarterly, Autumn 2005
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tim Burton's adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved (by children) and reviled (by critics and librarians) book, is quirky, well acted, often hilarious, and visually sumptuous, but don't go to it expecting sweetness in anything except the title. —Richard Alleva, Commonweal, 12 Aug. 2005
- In fairness, McEnroe does have genuine passion for the game, and his willingness to take on the sport's sacred cows is admirable. His candor and hilarious random ruminations as an analyst make even the most lopsided matches worth watching. —Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated, 17 Sept. 2001
- Since his material is genuinely funny, at times hilarious, it makes for a smashing use of audio as a unique entertainment medium. Sedaris has an unexpectedly high-pitched voice that comes across as majorly mischievous in its delivery … —Publishers Weekly, 5 May 1997
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Origin of HILARIOUS
irregular from Latin hilarus, hilaris cheerful, from Greek hilaros
Related to HILARIOUS
- Synonyms
- antic, chucklesome, comedic, comic, comical, droll, farcical, funny, humoristic, humorous, hysterical (also hysteric), killing, laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous, riotous, risible, screaming, sidesplitting, uproarious
- Antonyms
- humorless, lame, unamusing, uncomic, unfunny, unhumorous, unhysterical
Rhymes with HILARIOUS
HILARIOUS Defined for Kids
hilarious
adjective hi·lar·i·ous \hi-ˈler-ē-əs\
Definition of HILARIOUS for Kids
: very funny
— hi·lar·i·ous·ly adverb
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