hysterical

[hɪˈsterɪkl]

hysterical Definition

  • 1affected by or deriving from wildly uncontrolled emotion
  • 2extremely funny

Using hysterical: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hysterical" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    She became hysterical when she heard the news.

  • Example

    The comedian's performance was hysterical.

  • Example

    The situation was so absurd that it was hysterical.

hysterical Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using hysterical

  • laughing uncontrollably and for an extended period of time

    Example

    The movie was so funny that we were all laughing hysterically.

  • an outburst of uncontrolled emotion, typically characterized by crying, screaming, or laughing

    Example

    She had a hysterical fit when she found out that her cat had gone missing.

  • a derogatory term used to describe a woman who is perceived to be overly emotional or irrational

    Example

    He dismissed her concerns as those of a hysterical woman.

Phrases with hysterical

  • uncontrollable and prolonged fits of laughter

    Example

    The joke was so funny that it caused hysterical laughter in the audience.

  • a loss of vision that is not due to any physical cause but is caused by psychological factors such as extreme stress or trauma

    Example

    After the accident, she suffered from hysterical blindness and could not see anything for several days.

  • an extraordinary burst of strength exhibited by a person who is in a state of extreme emotional distress

    Example

    The mother lifted the car off her child with hysterical strength.

Origins of hysterical

from Latin 'hystericus', meaning 'of the womb', from Greek 'hustera', meaning 'womb'

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Summary: hysterical in Brief

The adjective 'hysterical' [hɪˈsterɪkl] describes someone or something that is affected by or derives from wildly uncontrolled emotion, such as 'She became hysterical when she heard the news.' It can also mean 'extremely funny,' as in 'The comedian's performance was hysterical.' The phrase 'hysterical laughter' denotes uncontrollable fits of laughter, while 'hysterical blindness' refers to a loss of vision caused by psychological factors. 'Hysterical' extends into idioms like 'laughing hysterically,' and 'hysterical woman,' a derogatory term for an overly emotional woman.

How do native speakers use this expression?