"hilarious" vs. "amusing"
Evening, everyone!

What do you think is the difference when you say,
- he/she is hilarious.
vs.
- he/she is amusing. ?

My dictionary cannot "see" any real difference, but I'd like to know how to use both of those adjectives correctly.
Thank you much in advance.

Question

"hilarious" vs. "amusing"
Evening, everyone!

What do you think is the difference when you say,
- he/she is hilarious.
vs.
- he/she is amusing. ?

My dictionary cannot "see" any real difference, but I'd like to know how to use both of those adjectives correctly.
Thank you much in advance.

Answer

Something "amusing" makes you smile.
Something "hilarious" makes you laugh out loud.

Imagine a television talk show host who doesn't actually tell jokes, but has a sense of humor and a pleasant manner. He is amusing.

Imagine one of his guests who walks up to the microphone and tells a series of jokes that "has the audience in stitches," "has them rolling in the aisles," has everybody laughing and laughing. He is hilarious.

Answer

Hi,

To add to what Mike said, above, I would say that amusing means entertaining with a connotation of being funny. Hilarious means extremely funny.

John

Answer

Hi,

Amusing = funny
Hilarious = very very very very very funny!

I hope that helps!