different between hilarious vs witty

English

Etymology

From Latin hilaris (“cheerful”), from Ancient Greek ?????? (hilarós, “cheerful, merry”), from ????? (hílaos, “propitious, gracious, kind”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /h??l???i?s/
• (US) IPA^(key): /h??le?i?s/, /ha??le?i?s/
• (New England) IPA^(key): /h??læ?i?s/, /ha??læ?i?s/
• (Mary–marry–merry distinction) (New England)
• Rhymes: -??ri?s

Adjective

hilarious (comparative more hilarious, superlative most hilarious)

1. Very funny; causing great merriment and laughter.

2. Full of hilarity; merry.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:funny

Derived terms

• hilarity
• hilariously
• hilariousness

Related terms

• exhilarate
• exhilaration
• Hilary

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English witty, witti, from Old English witti? (“clever, wise”), equivalent to wit +? -y,See Norwegian Bokmål vettig.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?w?ti/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?w?ti/, [?w??i]
• Rhymes: -?ti

Adjective

witty (comparative wittier, superlative wittiest)

1. (obsolete) Wise, having good judgement.

   • Then cam there a lady that was a wytty lady, and she seyde playnly unto the Kyng […] that he sholde never be hole but yf that Sir Trystrames wente into the same contrey than the venym came fro, and in that contrey sholde he be holpyn, other ellys never.

2. (archaic) Possessing a strong intellect or intellectual capacity; intelligent, skilful, ingenious.
3. Clever; amusingly ingenious.

4. Full of wit.

5. Quick of mind; insightful; in possession of wits.

Synonyms

• facetious
• humorous
• jocose
• jocular
• quick
• lively
• See also Thesaurus:witty

Translations