hilarity

noun

hi·​lar·​i·​ty hi-ˈler-ə-tē 

hī-

: boisterous merriment or laughter

Synonyms

• cheer
• cheerfulness
• cheeriness
• festivity
• gaiety
• gayety
• gayness
• glee
• gleefulness
• jocundity
• joviality
• merriment
• merriness
• mirth
• mirthfulness

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

As Shrek sets out with his talkative sidekick Donkey, the adventure quickly evolves from a simple quest to a journey of self-discovery, unexpected relationships and a lot of hilarity along the way. —Jane Lacroix, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025

To add to the hilarity of the moment, the dog's canine sibling watched on from the comfort of a nearby couch. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

As Shrek sets out with his talkative sidekick Donkey, the adventure quickly evolves from a simple quest to a journey of self-discovery, unexpected relationships and a lot of hilarity along the way. —Jane Lacroix, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025

To add to the hilarity of the moment, the dog's canine sibling watched on from the comfort of a nearby couch. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hilarity

• alterity
• asperity
• austerity
• celerity
• dexterity
• disparity
• molarity
• planarity
• polarity
• posterity
• prosperity
• severity

Kids Definition

hilarity

noun

hi·​lar·​i·​ty hil-ˈar-ət-ē 

-ˈer-;

hī-ˈlar-,

-ˈler-

: noisy fun