Hilarious: Definition and Synonyms
hilarious – Definition and Part of Speech
Definition: The adjective “hilarious” describes something that causes great amusement or laughter. It often refers to situations, jokes, stories, or performances that are extremely funny.
Part of Speech: Adjective. The word does not change form based on tense but can appear in its adverbial form as “hilariously” (e.g., “The comedian spoke hilariously”).
Core Synonyms
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| comical | Suggests something amusing, often in a lighthearted or slightly absurd way. | “Her comical antics at the party were a hit with everyone.” | Informal/Casual |
| funny | A general term for humor; can range from mildly amusing to side-splittingly humorous. | “He told a funny story that had us all laughing for minutes.” | Casual, Academic |
| laughable | Indicates something so absurd or ridiculous it provokes laughter. Often implies exaggeration or incredulity. | “The situation was completely laughable and hardly believable.” | Informal/Formal |
| humerous | Related to humor; often used in academic contexts, emphasizing the nature of comedic content. | “The film’s humerous undertone appealed to both critics and audiences alike.” | Academic/Analytical |
| side-splitting | Describes something exceptionally funny; emphasizes extreme amusement. | “Her jokes were so side-splitting that it was hard not to burst into laughter.” | Informal/Casual |
Usage Notes
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Comical: Best used in casual or informal contexts where the humor might be derived from situations or behaviors rather than structured comedic content.
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Funny: Versatile across different registers, “funny” can be applied broadly, making it suitable for both academic papers when discussing humor and informal settings.
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Laughable: This synonym often appears in discussions about absurdity, particularly in formal contexts where incredulity or exaggeration is being highlighted.
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Humerous: Suitable for academic writing or analyses that focus on the nature of humor itself. It may appear less frequently in casual conversation due to its specificity.
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Side-splitting: This term conveys an intensity of amusement and is often used when describing performances or jokes that elicit strong laughter, making it ideal for creative writing or informal settings.
Common Pitfalls
While “hilarious” can be substituted with these synonyms in many contexts, a common pitfall is overusing words like “funny,” which might lack specificity. Each synonym carries subtle connotations:
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Funny is broad and may not convey the intensity that “side-splitting” does.
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Laughable should not be used to describe genuinely funny situations; it’s more about absurdity than humor.
Choosing the right synonym often depends on context, tone, and the specific nuance of humor you wish to communicate.
Final Recap
In exploring synonyms for “hilarious,” we’ve considered words like comical, funny, laughable, humorous, and side-splitting. Each carries its unique shade of meaning related to amusement:
- Use comical for lighthearted or slightly absurd humor.
- Opt for funny when a general term for humor is needed across various contexts.
- Choose laughable when highlighting something absurdly ridiculous.
- Apply humorous in academic discussions of comedic content.
- Go with side-splitting to emphasize extreme amusement.
To enhance your vocabulary effectively, try incorporating these synonyms into your writing and conversations. Practicing their use will help you understand the nuances better and select the most appropriate word for each situation.