hilarity

[ hi-lar-i-tee, -lair-, hahy- ]

noun

1. cheerfulness; merriment; mirthfulness.
2. boisterous gaiety or merriment.

hilarity

/ hɪˈlærɪtɪ /

noun

1. mirth and merriment; cheerfulness

Other Words From

• hyper·hi·lari·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hilarity¹

1560–70; earlier hilaritie, from Latin hilaritās, equivalent to hilari(s) ( hilarious ) + -tās -ty ²

Synonym Study

See mirth.

Example Sentences

She was a First Amendment absolutist when it came to humor, but comedy evolves and one generation’s daring hilarity is another’s insensitive cruelty.

From Los Angeles Times

The previous Yankees losses offered their share of hilarity too.

From Los Angeles Times

The hilarity of people worrying about toy safety/propriety is timeless.

From Los Angeles Times

It's not a stretch to claim the movie owes 80% of its hilarity to these three performances precisely because they go above and beyond where they didn't need to.

From Salon

Whenever the Georgia congresswoman opines on the topic, her thoughts are bound to produce some combination of hilarity and concern.

From Salon

Related Words

• amusement
• merriment