hilarious

adjective

hi·​lar·​i·​ous hi-ˈler-ē-əs How to pronounce hilarious (audio)
hī-
Synonyms of hilariousnext
: marked by or causing hilarity : extremely funny
hilariously adverb
hilariousness noun

Examples of hilarious in a Sentence

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
Some people don't like his comedy, but I think he's hilarious. She gave us a hilarious account of her first days as a teacher.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the special, shot at the Den Theatre in Chicago, Elia explores the deeply personal and hilarious experience of moving back in with his Iraqi-Assyrian parents after his fiancée (now wife) was accepted into an oral surgery residency in his hometown of Detroit. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026 The video, posted by influencer Micky Gordon, featured Gomez in a hilarious skit about her new Rare Beauty assistant. Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026 After former boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) turns a song stolen from wedding singer Rick (Paul Rudd) into a global hit, the two musicians clash in a hilarious, heartfelt, and chaotic battle over creativity and credit. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026 In the comments, users found the whole thing hilarious. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hilarious

Word History

Etymology

irregular from Latin hilarus, hilaris cheerful, from Greek hilaros

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hilarious was in 1925

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hilarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hilarious. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

hilarious

adjective
hi·​lar·​i·​ous hil-ˈar-ē-əs How to pronounce hilarious (audio)
-ˈer-;
hī-ˈlar-
-ˈler-
: causing hilarity : wildly funny
hilariously adverb
hilariousness noun

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