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hilarity

noun
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hi·​lar·​i·​ty | \ hi-ˈler-ə-tē How to pronounce hilarity (audio) , hī- \

Definition of hilarity

: boisterous merriment or laughter
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about hilarity

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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 But both competition and affordability for basic goods in San Francisco is already a matter of (grim!) hilarity and forthcoming political revolution. — Caille Millner, SFChronicle.com, "Why would anyone bring a baby into the world that is SF?," 31 Jan. 2020 But there was something about her, a bemused hauteur or suppressed hilarity -- plus that flame of hair. — oregonlive, "Fun-loving ‘Torchy’ Jessing ‘autographed’ knife she used to stab gangster boyfriend, becoming 1950s Portland celebrity," 3 Dec. 2019 Stay for the unintentional hilarity Queen Kane isn't the only one strangely stuck on mid-20th-century pop culture either. — Ani Bundel, Ars Technica, "See on Apple TV+: Less Game of Thrones, more unintentionally funny SyFy," 29 Oct. 2019 Adding to the hilarity were the German officers, Werner Klemperer as Colonel Wilhelm Klink, and John Banner as Sgt. — oregonlive, "Goofiest TV reboot idea yet? WW II prison camp comedy ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ may get a sequel," 17 Sep. 2019 Thanks for your love, friendship and for your hilarity. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Kathie Lee Gifford Is Leaving 'Today' Very Soon and the Show's Cast Has Feelings About That," 13 Mar. 2019 Rhodes played on them, knowing the fine line between despair and hilarity. — Jeffrey Fleishman, latimes.com, "Did she swallow helium? Let's take the high-pitched comedy of Erica Rhodes seriously," 7 June 2019 On Adult Swim, Jena Friedman merged #MeToo comedy and prank shows, and downbeat loons like Joe Pera and Jo Firestone turned banality into hilarity. — Jason Zinoman, New York Times, "Best Comedy of 2019," 25 Dec. 2019 But without prior drug-running experience, trouble and hilarity ensues. Peter Steinfeld will pen the screenplay for the adaptation. — Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, "Will Ferrell to Star in Adaptation of Doc 'The Legend Of Cocaine Island' for Netflix," 17 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hilarity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hilarity

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for hilarity

Time Traveler

The first known use of hilarity was in the 15th century

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Statistics for hilarity

Last Updated

23 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Hilarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hilarity. Accessed 26 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for hilarity

hilarity

noun
How to pronounce hilarity (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of hilarity

: noisy fun or laughter

See the full definition for hilarity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hilarity

noun
hi·​lar·​i·​ty | \ hi-ˈler-ə-tē How to pronounce hilarity (audio) \

Kids Definition of hilarity

: noisy fun or laughter

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More from Merriam-Webster on hilarity

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hilarity

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with hilarity

Spanish Central: Translation of hilarity

Nglish: Translation of hilarity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of hilarity for Arabic Speakers

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