Hilarious
/hɪˈlɛr.i.əs/noun
Extremely funny or causing laughter.
Did you know?The word 'hilarious' comes from the Latin 'hilaris', meaning 'cheerful', but it also has ties to ancient rituals celebrating fertility and merriment, often bordering on the chaotic.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
hilaris
“Cheerful, merry, or joyous, often used in festive contexts.”
Old French
Old French
hilare
“Joyful or merry, adopted into English through cultural exchanges.”
14th Century
Middle English
hilarie
“Pertaining to cheerfulness or causing joy.”
Modern English
English
hilarious
“Describing something that invokes great laughter or amusement.”
Explore more surprising origins