you are a hoot

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used to tell someone that they are very funny or entertaining.

   Grammar: Usually used as a complete sentence or as a comment after someone has said or done something funny.

   Patterns

   • You are a hoot.
   • You're a hoot.

   You are a hoot — I can't stop laughing at your stories.

   Thanks for cheering me up; you're a hoot.

   She's a hoot when she starts telling jokes.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used to describe someone or something as amusing or entertaining, often in a slightly teasing way.

   Grammar: Can also be used about a person or thing in the third person: 'He's a hoot.'

   Patterns

   • someone is a hoot
   • something is a hoot

   That comedy show was a hoot.

   My uncle is a hoot at family parties.

   The way he imitates the boss is a hoot.

Common combinations

a real hoot

The party was a real hoot.

be a hoot

You're a hoot when you're in a good mood.

such a hoot

That movie was such a hoot.

Synonyms and how they differ

hilarious

Hilarious is an adjective meaning extremely funny; 'a hoot' is a noun phrase used to describe a person or thing as funny.

a laugh

In British English, 'a laugh' can mean a funny person or thing, similar to 'a hoot', but it is more common in the UK.

a riot

A riot can mean a very funny person or thing, but it is stronger and more informal than 'a hoot'.

Commonly confused: you are a hoot or a hoot?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “you are a hoot”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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