Cool MateHilarious vs That's very funny
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hilarious
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
That's very funny
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Hilarious
| Hilarious | That's very funny | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/hɪˈleəriəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/hɪˈleriəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˈvɛri ˈfʌni//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˈvɛri ˈfʌni// |
| Meaning | Very funny; something that makes you laugh a lot. | It makes me laugh a lot. |
| Example | a hilarious joke/story | His joke was so clever; that's very funny! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | hilarious joke, hilarious situation, hilarious movie, hilarious comment | that's very funny indeed, that's very funny you mention it, that's very funny, isn't it |
| Antonyms | serious, boring, unfunny | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'hilarious' for something only mildly funny., Confusing 'hilarious' with 'humorous', which is less intense., Using it in a negative context incorrectly. | Mixing with 'That's so funny' which is less intense., Using in serious discussions where humor is inappropriate., Incorrectly using it when something is not funny at all. |
| 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. | Use when something is humorous or amusing. Common in casual conversations among friends. Avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hilarious vs That's very funny
What's the difference between Hilarious and That's very funny?
Hilarious: Very funny; something that makes you laugh a lot. That's very funny: It makes me laugh a lot.
Which is more formal: Hilarious and That's very funny?
Hilarious is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Hilarious: a hilarious joke/story That's very funny: His joke was so clever; that's very funny!
Can I use Hilarious and That's very funny interchangeably?
Not always. Hilarious and That's very funny 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.