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

Roz Chast on George Booth In Booth’s cartoons of men and women, dogs and bathtubs, the hilarity is in the details. —The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

This breakout performance shatters stereotype in a complex embodiment of hilarity and heartbreak while providing a crisp look at the modern world’s obsession with money, class and power – and the elusive nature of happily ever after. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025

Loud, tiresome and half-baked, the off-kilter hilarity and attempts at sentimentality aren’t given much clearance to land, causing the emotional overtones to feel unearned. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025

The social media response ranged from panic to hilarity. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 31 Jan. 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