Word
hysterically
Phoneticshys·ter·i·cal·ly
US/ˌhɪsˈtɛɹɪkɫi/
UK/hɪstˈɛɹɪkli/
Definition
adv. in a way that shows you are very excited, nervous, or laughing a lot. It can also describe someone who is acting in a way that is not serious or logical.
adv. in a manner characterized by extreme emotion, nervousness, or uncontrollable laughter. Often used to describe behavior that is perceived as irrational or lacking self-control.
Examples
“She laughed hysterically at the funny joke.”
“The crowd cheered hysterically as the home team scored the winning goal in the final minute.”
“The witness began to speak hysterically, her voice cracking with emotion as she recounted the events of that night to the jury.”
Examples
simple
“She laughed hysterically at the funny joke.”
contextual
“The crowd cheered hysterically as the home team scored the winning goal in the final minute.”
complex
“The witness began to speak hysterically, her voice cracking with emotion as she recounted the events of that night to the jury.”
Etymology
From hysterical + -ly.
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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/hysterically