hilarity

noun

hi·​lar·​i·​ty hi-ˈler-ə-tē 

hī-

: boisterous merriment or laughter

Synonyms

• cheer
• cheerfulness
• cheeriness
• festivity
• gaiety
• gayety
• gayness
• glee
• gleefulness
• jocundity
• joviality
• merriment
• merriness
• mirth
• mirthfulness

Examples of hilarity in a Sentence

My attempt to carve the turkey was a source of great hilarity at the dinner table.

hilarity is the last thing you expect to find at a funeral, but we were there to celebrate his life rather than to dwell on his death

Recent Examples on the Web

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)* by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald, and John K. Alvarez December 13-29, 2024 CSC's holiday smash hit Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) is back again for another season of holiday hilarity! —David Catlin, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024

Maybe your reluctance to engage has less to do with your doubts about your partner’s comedic taste than a total exhaustion with hilarity, full stop. —Meghan O'Gieblyn, WIRED, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hilarity

noun

hi·​lar·​i·​ty hil-ˈar-ət-ē 

-ˈer-;

hī-ˈlar-,

-ˈler-

: noisy fun