highly amused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly amused" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong feeling of amusement or laughter in response to something funny or entertaining. Example: "She was highly amused by the comedian's clever jokes and witty remarks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The audience was highly amused.

The New York Times

And I was highly amused by all of them.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

*** I was highly amused by the Tesco survey of Britons' top 20 holiday hates.

Independent

His expression suggested that he was highly amused by his men.

The New York Times

A call-centre worker sings Hello - Ant and Dec are highly amused by the irony.

The Guardian

Bruce became highly amused that I didn't seem to know the drummer's name.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The magnificent, exacting camera work and unrelenting music compel us to look, no matter what happens, and though I was actually a little scared the first time I saw this moment, I found myself highly amused--laughing even.

Huffington Post

Ryan Reynolds, as the earthling appointed to continue the Guardians' struggle against fear, looks amused, abashed, and highly dubious as he pledges allegiance to a green lantern, the source of ultimate power.

The New Yorker

He is intrigued and amused by Jessica Chastain's brilliant, highly strung intelligence officer: for all the machismo, he has a detached, almost mandarin style.

The Guardian

It's raunchy, explicit and ultimately highly moral as Andy takes up with the bruised, amused and kindly Trish (the appealing Catherine Keener), a very young grandmother.

The Guardian

Chang looks amused.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly amused" to emphasize a strong feeling of amusement, especially when describing reactions to witty or ironic situations.

Common error

While "highly amused" is acceptable, consider alternatives like "greatly entertained" or "thoroughly enjoyed" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly amused" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing the state of being greatly entertained or pleased. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct expression to use. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe reactions to events or people.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly amused" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a strong feeling of amusement. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in the News & Media domain. While suitable for many contexts, writers should consider the level of formality required and explore alternatives like ""greatly entertained"" in more professional settings. Therefore, according to Ludwig, you can confidently use "highly amused" to describe someone's positive reaction to humor and wit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely amused

Focuses on the degree of amusement, indicating a very high level of enjoyment.

greatly entertained

Emphasizes the entertainment aspect of amusement, suggesting a pleasing and enjoyable experience.

thoroughly entertained

Highlights the completeness of the amusement, implying a deep and satisfying enjoyment.

enjoyed immensely

Highlights the pleasurable aspect, focusing on enjoyment rather than overt amusement.

very entertained

A more general term of amusement.

delighted

Suggests a feeling of great pleasure and satisfaction, often accompanied by amusement.

laughing heartily

Describes the act of laughing with genuine and enthusiastic amusement.

tickled pink

An idiom expressing delight and amusement, often at something lighthearted or charming.

charmed

Implies a gentle and pleasing amusement, often in response to something endearing or elegant.

in stitches

Implies extreme amusement, often to the point of uncontrollable laughter.

FAQs

How can I use "highly amused" in a sentence?

You can use "highly amused" to describe someone's reaction to something funny or entertaining. For example: "She was "highly amused" by the comedian's jokes."

What are some alternatives to "highly amused"?

Alternatives include "greatly entertained", "extremely amused", or "thoroughly entertained", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "highly amused" formal or informal?

While acceptable in many contexts, "highly amused" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register. Consider more formal alternatives like "greatly entertained" in professional settings.

What's the difference between "amused" and "highly amused"?

"Amused" suggests a mild feeling of enjoyment, while "highly amused" indicates a significantly stronger and more pronounced feeling of amusement. Therefore, "highly amused" expresses an elevated degree of enjoyment compared to simply "amused".