uproarious

American  

[uhp-rawr-ee-uhs, -rohr-] / ʌpˈrɔr i əs, -ˈroʊr- /

adjective

1. characterized by or in a state of uproar; tumultuous.

   Synonyms:

   turbulent, riotous, stormy

2. making an uproar; confused and noisy, as an assembly, person, etc.

3. very funny, as a person or situation.

4. very loud, as sounds or utterances.

5. expressed by or producing uproar.

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uproarious British  

/ ʌpˈrɔːrɪəs /

adjective

1. causing or characterized by an uproar; tumultuous

2. extremely funny; hilarious

3. (of laughter) loud and boisterous

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Other Word Forms

• uproariousness
  noun
• uproariously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of uproarious

First recorded in 1810–20; uproar + -ious

Explanation

Uproarious situations are very loud, a little out of control, and often hilarious. You might encounter an uproarious crowd at a soccer match, or even in your school cafeteria. Your neighbors might like to throw uproarious dinner parties filled with screams of glee and pounding music, disturbing your sleep. Notice the word roar in there, because whether it’s an uproarious gathering or just one uproarious joke, it’s always an event of stunning and dramatic volume, like a lion’s roar.

Example Sentences

Uproarious audience laughter, lots and lots of it.

From Washington Post • Jul. 13, 2017

Uproarious and affecting, the film is as mutable and insatiably imaginative as he was.

From New York Times • Aug. 12, 2013

Uproarious drama and late turnarounds have characterised their 10-month journey to Germany, for which the 12,500 tickets allocated by Uefa sold out in less than four hours.

From The Guardian • May 9, 2010

Uproarious in many ways, 1969 was a period of intense transition for Hendrix.

From New York Times • Feb. 27, 2010

Uproarious applause followed Jack's song, when the joviality of the mourners was interrupted by a summons to attend in the state-room.

From Rookwood by Ainsworth, William Harrison

Related Words

• amusing
• comical
• humorous