Hysterical vs. Hilarious — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 24, 2024
Hysterical refers to being uncontrollably emotional or panicked, while hilarious describes something extremely funny and amusing.
Difference Between Hysterical and Hilarious
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hysterical often implies a state of overwhelming emotion or panic, typically marked by loss of self-control. Whereas, hilarious refers specifically to something that causes great amusement or laughter.
Hysterical behavior can be triggered by stress, fear, or shock, leading to crying, laughter, or irrational actions. On the other hand, hilarious moments are purely about eliciting laughter, often due to wit, humor, or absurdity.
Hysterical has a negative connotation, suggesting a reaction that might be viewed as excessive or inappropriate for the situation. While hilarious is positive, highlighting an experience or observation that is enjoyable and entertaining.
Hysterical can be used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as someone actually losing control or describing an intense situation metaphorically. In contrast, hilarious is almost always used to describe comic scenarios or jokes that work exceptionally well.
Hysterical may also refer to a psychological condition, historically termed 'hysteria', which was thought to manifest with a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. Whereas hilarious has no such medical or psychological associations, being solely about humor.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Overwhelmed with emotions, often uncontrollably
Extremely funny, causing great amusement
Connotation
Generally negative
Positive
Trigger
Stress, fear, or shock
Humorous content or situation
Usage
Can describe a person's state or behavior
Used to describe things or situations
Association
Can imply a psychological condition (historically)
Strictly related to humor and laughter
Compare with Definitions
Hysterical
Historically linked to 'hysteria'.
Victorian doctors often diagnosed emotionally expressive women as hysterical.
Hilarious
Describing a very funny situation.
The movie we watched last night was absolutely hilarious.
Hysterical
Showing extreme distress.
The child's hysterical crying alarmed everyone.
Hilarious
Pertaining to something that delights in comedy.
Her hilarious anecdotes are the highlight of our gatherings.
Hysterical
Exaggerated or theatrical in expression.
His reaction was almost hysterical, even though the situation was minor.
Hilarious
Used to highlight humor.
His impression of the teacher was hilarious.
Hysterical
Pertaining to a state of panic.
The crowd became hysterical during the blackout.
Hilarious
Extremely amusing and causing laughter.
The comedian’s joke was hilarious.
Hysterical
Overwhelmed by uncontrollable emotions.
She was hysterical after hearing the tragic news.
Hilarious
Associated with lighthearted amusement.
Finding the dog asleep in the laundry basket was hilarious.
Hysterical
Exhibiting spasmodic, uncontrolled emotion
Became hysterical when the airplane lurched.
Hysterical laughter.
Hilarious
Extremely amusing
Her hilarious novel
Hysterical
(Informal) Extremely funny
Told a hysterical story.
Hilarious
Characterized by or causing great merriment.
Hysterical
(Psychiatry) Relating to hysteria. No longer in clinical use.
Hilarious
Very funny; causing great merriment and laughter.
A hilarious joke
Hysterical
Of, or arising from hysteria.
Hilarious
Full of hilarity; merry.
Hysterical
Having, or prone to having hysterics.
Hilarious
Mirthful; noisy; merry.
Hysterical
Provoking uncontrollable laughter.
Hilarious
Marked by or causing boisterous merriment or convulsive laughter;
Hilarious broad comedy
A screaming farce
Uproarious stories
Hysterical
Extremely funny.
Hysterical
Characterized by or arising from psychoneurotic hysteria;
During hysterical conditions various functions of the human body are disordered
Hysterical amnesia
Hysterical
Marked by excessive or uncontrollable emotion;
Hysterical laughter
A mob of hysterical vigilantes
Common Curiosities
What does hysterical mean in a medical context?
Historically, it referred to a psychological disorder known as hysteria, characterized by emotional excess.
What types of humor make something hilarious?
Situational comedy, wit, irony, and slapstick are common elements.
What is the root of 'hysterical'?
It comes from the Greek word 'hystera', meaning uterus, reflecting old beliefs about emotional expression in women.
Is hysterical behavior always loud?
No, it can also manifest silently as internal turmoil.
How should one react to a hysterical person?
It's important to remain calm and try to comfort them or help them regain control.
Is 'hilarious' appropriate for describing a serious situation that turns absurd?
Yes, if the absurdity is perceived as funny, 'hilarious' can be fitting.
Can a situation be both hysterical and hilarious?
Yes, if it's both uncontrollably chaotic and amusingly funny.
Is it offensive to call someone hysterical?
It can be, especially if it minimizes their feelings or situation.
Why do people find certain things hilarious?
Humor perception varies widely based on culture, personality, and context.
Can someone be unintentionally hilarious?
Yes, often people are funny without intending to be, adding to the humor.
Can animals be hilarious?
Yes, animals can be involved in humorous situations or actions that are perceived as hilarious.
Does hysterical laughter mean the person is happy?
Not necessarily; it could be a response to various emotions, not just happiness.
What makes a movie hilarious?
A combination of a clever script, timing, and relatable characters often contributes.
How is hysterical used in literature?
It's often used to heighten drama or convey intense emotional scenes.
Can hysteria be treated?
Modern understanding treats the symptoms with psychological counseling rather than labeling the behavior as hysteria.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
