Hilarity means a statea condition or way something is at a particular time of very cheerful, lively amusementenjoyment or entertainment that makes people smile or laugh. It usually suggests loud, shared laughter or great merrimentcheerful celebration with laughter, fun, and joy.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /hih-LAR-uh-tee/
Easy pronunciation: hi-LAR-uh-tee (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the second syllable.
Used here as a noun meaning great merriment or lively amusement.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Hilarity Meaning
very cheerful laughter and fun
Part of speech: noun
Definition: Great merriment or lively amusement, often with laughter.
Example: The joke caused a burst of hilarity in the room.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- glee — A strong fit for cheerful enjoyment or delight.
- mirth — A close synonym for cheerful laughter and amusement.
- gleefulness — Works, though it can sound a little more formal or less common.
- mirthfulness — A valid but less common synonym for a cheerful, amused state.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Hilarity Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- glee
- mirth
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using hilarity to mean a single joke or funny moment rather than the feeling of great amusement.
- Assuming hilarity always means uncontrolled laughter; it can also mean a general mood of lively fun.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hilarity mean?
Hilarity means great amusement, cheerful laughter, or lively merriment.
What are synonyms for hilarity?
Good synonyms include glee and mirth, and also gleefulness and mirthfulness in some contexts.
Is hilarity a positive word?
Yes. It usually describes happy, lively amusement or laughter.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
