SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

in hysterics

idiom

Definition of in hysterics

: laughing very hard

The audience was in hysterics throughout the movie.

Word by Word Definitions

hysterics play

: a fit of uncontrollable laughter or crying

See the full definition of hysterics

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up in hysterics? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

querulous

play

habitually complaining

Words at Play

alt-5ae23d5d250bd

'Rather Than': Is It a Conjunction or Preposition?

It's both, and here's why.

alt-5ae227cf365c4

‘Magnate’ and ‘Magnet’: Poles Apart

This is kind of a Big Deal

All the Hits

8 obscure words for bodily harm

alt-5adf93a49b0b2

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

"In point" only lives in this phrase.

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

rain-on-rainbow-umbrella

April 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

The rhyming verb edition.

Take the quiz

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz

Syn City

Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.

Play the game