English Explanatory Dictionary

hysterical

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Of, or arising from hysteria.
  2. Having, or prone to having hysterics.
  3. Provoking uncontrollable laughter.

Pronunciation

/hɪˈstɛɹɪkəl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-hysterical.wav

Word forms

hysterical more hysterical most hysterical

Etymology

From hysteric + -al, from Latin hystericus, from Ancient Greek ὑστερικός (husterikós, “suffering in the womb, hysterical”), from ῠ̔στέρᾱ (hŭstérā, “womb”).

Related words

hysteric hysterics hysteria

Derived words

antihysterical hysterical blindness hysterical historical hysterically hystericalness hysterical realism nonhysterical overhysterical posthysterical semihysterical unhysterical
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