Hilarity
n.joyful, energeticliterary
What it means
A burst or atmosphere of joyful, often noisy laughter.
Reach for it when naming shared amusement rather than merely saying something was funny
The costume swap caused a moment of warm hilarity backstage.
Choose between these
6- playful
uproar
loud collective reaction is the vivid feature
not when An uproar can be angry or chaotic, so context must establish humor.
- everyday
the audible human response is all that needs naming
not when Laughter can be nervous, cruel, or polite rather than hilarious.
- warm
delighted excitement matters as much as the laughter
not when Glee can arise from winning or mischief without comedy.
- warm
sociable good cheer fills the occasion
not when Merriment includes celebration and play without necessarily involving laughter.
- professional
a restrained state of being entertained is meant
not when Amusement is far quieter than the lively laughter of hilarity.
- literary
good-natured laughter suits an elevated or old-fashioned tone
not when Mirth feels archaic in contemporary workplace or product copy.
Said against
3- gloom
- solemnity
- misery
It naturally appears in
3- general hilarity
The goat's unexpected entrance caused general hilarity.
- moment of hilarity
A moment of hilarity broke the tension before the final vote.
- much hilarity
The crooked practice cake produced much hilarity and several useful lessons.