Meaning & use
hysterical
Last updated
in an uncontrolled state of extreme emotion, especially fear, excitement, or laughter; informally, extremely funny.
See it in a sentence
The crowd grew hysterical when the fire alarm went off unexpectedly.
His impression of the teacher was so hysterical that everyone burst out laughing.
A note on using this word
In casual speech it often just means 'very funny,' a lighter sense distinct from its clinical meaning of uncontrollable emotional distress.
Words with a similar meaning
franticfrenzied
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. adjective
informal: extremely funny.
The video of the cat falling off the couch was hysterical.
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