hysterical

[hi-ster-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. uncontrollably emotional.

2. irrational from fear, emotion, or an emotional shock.

3. causing unrestrained laughter; very funny.

   Oh, that joke is hysterical!

   Synonyms: ludicrous, laughable, uproarious, hilarious

4. Psychoanalysis, Psychiatry.

   1. of, relating to, or characterized by hysteria.

      hysterical psychosis.

   2. causing hysteria.

   3. experiencing or subject to hysteria.

      hysterical patients.

hysterical

/ hɪˈstɛrɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or suggesting hysteria

   hysterical cries

2. suffering from hysteria

3. informal,  wildly funny

Other Word Forms

• hysterically adverb
• overhysterical adjective
• posthysterical adjective
• semihysterical adjective
• unhysterical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hysterical¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin hysteric(us) hysteric + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The initial headlines were so outrageous I assumed they represented a hysterical media overreaction to some mild remark.

Read more on MarketWatch

Upon hearing the words, “Mom’s not coming back anymore,” Isaac, Israel and Afrika are hysterical, groaning and crying while falling to the ground.

Read more on Salon

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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I remember getting really hysterical writing it. It was absolutely joyous, it was magic."

Read more on BBC

“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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitated 
• crazy 
• distraught 
• emotional 
• frantic 
• frenzied 
• furious 
• impassioned 
• mad 
• nervous 
• neurotic 
• overwrought 
• passionate 
• uncontrollable 
• vehement 
• violent 

When To Use

More context on hysterical

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.