hilarious
adjective
hi·lar·i·ous
hi-ˈler-ē-əs 
hī-
: 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.
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
Wisecrack experts Elizabeth Banks and Nathan Fillion costar in this wild, goopy, often laugh-out-loud hilarious ride.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
The scene with his dad at the beginning of the episode is quite hilarious in addition to being quite tonally jarring.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Something sent monkeys at a Florida state park cannonballing into the water earlier this month, and a woman on a kayaking trip captured the hilarious moment on camera.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Addams Family Values was well received by critics and is even more iconic than the original thanks to Wednesday’s hilarious and pointed school play about the first Thanksgiving and Uncle Fester’s conniving new girlfriend, Debbie (Joan Cusack).
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hilarious
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.
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
The scene with his dad at the beginning of the episode is quite hilarious in addition to being quite tonally jarring.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Something sent monkeys at a Florida state park cannonballing into the water earlier this month, and a woman on a kayaking trip captured the hilarious moment on camera.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Addams Family Values was well received by critics and is even more iconic than the original thanks to Wednesday’s hilarious and pointed school play about the first Thanksgiving and Uncle Fester’s conniving new girlfriend, Debbie (Joan Cusack).
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hilarious
Cite this Entry
“Hilarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hilarious. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hilarious
adjective
hi·lar·i·ous
hil-ˈar-ē-əs
-ˈer-;
hī-ˈlar-,
-ˈler-
: causing hilarity : wildly funny
hilariously
adverb
hilariousness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share