Words / B2

hi-LAIRR-ee-uh-s/hɪˈleəriəs/

Hilarious means extremely funny: a hilarious sketch; it was hilarious. Funny is weaker; hysterical can mean out of control (and is also medical). Fine in reviews; too chatty for a history methods paragraph. The sketch is not a source. Do not use hilarious for a serious mishap unless you mean gallows humour.

Meaning

Extremely funny.

Examples

• “The sketch was hilarious, but it is not a source for the history paper.”
• “Candidates found the invigilator’s deadpan hilarious, which is still informal.”

Good to know

a hilarious + noun; absolutely hilarious. Weaker: funny. Register: reviews and speech, not methods. Extreme amusement.

Near in meaning

funny

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