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hysterical
[hi-ster-i-kuhl]
adjective
uncontrollably emotional.
irrational from fear, emotion, or an emotional shock.
causing unrestrained laughter; very funny.
Oh, that joke is hysterical!
Psychoanalysis, Psychiatry.
hysterical
/ hɪˈstɛrɪkəl /
adjective
of or suggesting hysteria
hysterical cries
suffering from hysteria
informal, wildly funny
Other Word Forms
- hysterically adverb
- overhysterical adjective
- posthysterical adjective
- semihysterical adjective
- unhysterical adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of hysterical1
Example Sentences
The hysterical posturing is even more implausible when you realize existing stars will be AI’s biggest beneficiaries when it spawns lucrative new interactive opportunities.
"I remember getting really hysterical writing it. It was absolutely joyous, it was magic."
“He was traumatized and hysterical that his house was destroyed, his two dogs and two cats were inside and that they were all dead,” Hirscher said in a phone interview.
On Monday, after the drawing was published, the caterwauling from the White House grew hysterical.
It’s not hysterical to think it could happen.
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Related Words
When To Use
In everyday usage, hysterical means "uncontrollably emotional."But guess who usually gets marked with that label? Women. What’s more, hysterical comes from the Greek word for "womb." It was once thought that hysteria was a condition that only affected women—and was caused by disturbances in the uterus.
Given the sexism associated with this word, hysterical isn’t exactly a laughing matter.
If knowing the history of hysterical has got you reflecting on your word choices, this slideshow, "These Common Words Have Offensive Histories," discusses many other words whose place in your vocab you may want to reconsider.Advertisement
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