Cool MateHilarious vs Hysterical
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hilarious
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Hysterical
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: HilariousMost common: Hilarious
| Hilarious | Hysterical | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/hɪˈleəriəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/hɪˈleriəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hɪˈstɛr.ɪ.kəl//🇺🇸 //hɪˈstɛr.ɪ.kəl// |
| Meaning | Very funny; something that makes you laugh a lot. | Very funny or very upset. |
| Example | a hilarious joke/story | The comedian told a hysterical joke that had everyone laughing. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | hilarious joke, hilarious situation, hilarious movie, hilarious comment | hysterical laughter, hysterical crying, hysterical reaction |
| Antonyms | serious, boring, unfunny | calm, sensible, rational |
| Common mistakes | Using 'hilarious' for something only mildly funny., Confusing 'hilarious' with 'humorous', which is less intense., Using it in a negative context incorrectly. | Confusing 'hysterical' with 'hysterics'., Using 'hysterical' to describe mild amusement., Not recognizing the emotional intensity implied. |
| Usage notes | Use 'hilarious' to describe jokes, movies, or situations that are very funny. It fits well in both casual and formal contexts but might feel too strong for mild humor. | Informally used to describe extreme emotions, often humorously. Less appropriate in formal contexts or serious discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hilarious vs Hysterical
What's the difference between Hilarious and Hysterical?
Hilarious: Very funny; something that makes you laugh a lot. Hysterical: Very funny or very upset.
Which is more formal: Hilarious and Hysterical?
Hilarious is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Hilarious and Hysterical?
Hilarious is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hilarious: a hilarious joke/story Hysterical: The comedian told a hysterical joke that had everyone laughing.
Can I use Hilarious and Hysterical interchangeably?
Not always. Hilarious and Hysterical are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.