English Reference
Noun

hilarity

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /hɪˈɫɛɹəti/ UK /hɪlˈæɹɪti/ hi·lar·i·ty UK spelling hilarities

n.a lot of laughter and fun. You use this to describe a situation that is very funny and full of excitement.

n.a state of great amusement and laughter; a period of intense mirth. Often used to describe a social event or a specific moment of high entertainment.


SIMPLE

The party was full of hilarity and music.

CONTEXTUAL

The children's laughter and general hilarity filled the entire park during the summer festival.

COMPLEX

What began as a simple dinner party quickly devolved into a night of unbridled hilarity, with guests sharing increasingly absurd stories that kept the conversation alive until dawn.


From Latin hilaritās (“cheerfulness”), from hilaris (“cheerful”), from Ancient Greek ἱλαρός (hilarós, “cheerful”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Ancient Greek ἱλαρός
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated