What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hilarious
Example
The comedian's jokes were so hilarious that the audience couldn't stop laughing. [hilarious: adjective]
Example
The video of the baby laughing at the dog was absolutely hilarious. [hilarious: adjective]
comical
Example
The clown's comical antics had the children in stitches. [comical: adjective]
Example
The movie was a comical take on a serious topic. [comical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Comical is more commonly used than hilarious in everyday language. Comical is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hilarious is less common and refers to something that is extremely funny.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hilarious and comical?
Both hilarious and comical are informal and casual in tone, but comical is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.