Word
Definitions
01uncontrolled emotion
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. unable to control your feelings or behavior because you are extremely frightened, angry, or excited.
adj. characterised by a state of extreme, uncontrolled emotion, often involving crying or laughter due to panic or shock.
“The crowd became hysterical when the fire alarm started ringing in the dark theatre.”
“By the time the rescue team arrived, the survivors were hysterical with relief, making it difficult for the medics to assess their injuries.”
Synonyms
02extremely funny
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adj. extremely funny, making you laugh a lot.
adj. provoking uncontrollable laughter; used as a superlative for humorous content.
“You have to see this video of the cat; it is absolutely hysterical.”
“The comedian's observations about office life were so hysterical that several audience members were reduced to tears of laughter.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Ever since Beatlemania, the world has seen female fans a certain way - hysterical, obsessive and not really in it for the music.” “And because he is so reasonable, it makes Richard seem hysterical.” Etymology
From hysteric + -al, from Latin hystericus, from Ancient Greek ὑστερικός (husterikós, “suffering in the womb, hysterical”), from ῠ̔στέρᾱ (hŭstérā, “womb”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/hysterical
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0