English Reference
Adverb

uncontrollably

adv.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌənkənˈtɹoʊɫəbɫi/ UK /ʌnkəntɹˈəʊləbli/ un·con·trol·lably

adv.in a way that you cannot stop or manage. You use this when something happens suddenly and you have no power to change it.

adv.in a manner that cannot be restrained or managed by the will or by external force. Often describes physical reactions or sudden emotional outbursts.


SIMPLE

She laughed uncontrollably at the funny joke.

CONTEXTUAL

The wind blew uncontrollably through the open window, making it impossible to keep the paper on the desk.

COMPLEX

The actor's uncontrollable laughter during the serious scene caused the entire studio to break into a fit of giggles, forcing the director to call a temporary halt to filming.

When Sasha talks about her father, whom she calls Chris rather than Dad, she shakes uncontrollably.

The Guardian· 15 Aug 2026

It was a period when United panicked uncontrollably when they had a lead.

The Guardian· 10 Sept 2026

From uncontrollable + -ly.

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

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated