Hilariously

hɪˈlɛəriəsli

adverbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

1

In an extremely funny way; causing much laughter.

hɪˈlɛəriəsli

adverbpositiveBeginner
General

In a very funny way

The movie was hilariously bad, but in a good way.

💡 Simply: When something happens that's SUPER funny and makes you laugh a lot. Like, you're laughing so hard you can't stop!

👶 For kids: When something makes you laugh a lot, like a silly cartoon.

More Examples

2

She recounted her vacation experiences hilariously, making everyone chuckle.

3

The dog's antics were hilariously entertaining.

How It's Used

General conversation

"The comedian told a hilariously bad joke that everyone loved."

Fiction writing

"The protagonist's attempts to impress his date were hilariously clumsy."

Idioms & expressions

laugh hilariously

To laugh in a very funny way; with a great deal of amusement.

"The audience laughed hilariously at the comedian's jokes."

From "hilarious" (meaning causing amusement or laughter) + "-ly" (adverbial suffix). The word's development mirrors the evolution of humor and expressions of amusement in language.

The adverb form, hilariously, gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with the rise of humor as a significant element of popular culture.

Memory tip

Think of a *hilar*ious *ly*ric – a funny song that makes you laugh.

Word Origin

LanguageGreek
Original meaning

"cheerful, merry"

hilariously funnyhilariously badlaughed hilariouslyhilariously entertaining

Common misspellings

hileriouslyhilariouslyly

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written