highly amusing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly amusing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very funny or entertaining. Example: "The comedian's performance was highly amusing, leaving the audience in stitches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are highly amusing, too.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr Richards found the experience highly amusing.

The Economist

The wire-tappers found this highly amusing.

The New Yorker

Any Gujarati person from Bombay will find this highly amusing.

The New York Times

It's starring all these funny people and has a highly amusing premise.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Benson is highly amusing as Boris, but at first this seems like a cosy, affectionate ribbing.

Independent

His highly amusing autobiography of sorts, "Unreliable Memoirs," has five volumes in it.

The New York Times - Books

The effect is rather like reading a highly amusing encyclopedia: many interesting starts, but few conclusions.

The Guardian - Books

You can focus on the bravery, the loyalty, the highly amusing mating behavior.

The New York Times

Wikipedia has a fuller, highly amusing list of counterintuitive placename pronunciations.

The Economist

But Ghostbusters remains highly amusing, as do Four Weddings and a Funeral and The Odd Couple.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or situations, using "highly amusing" can add a touch of sophistication and understatement, suggesting the humor is appreciated on an intellectual level as well as emotionally.

Common error

Avoid using "highly amusing" in very informal settings or conversations where simpler words like "funny" or "hilarious" might be more appropriate. The phrase can sound stilted if the situation doesn't call for a degree of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly amusing" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that is very funny or entertaining. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a usable and grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly amusing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something very funny or entertaining. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it can be used in various contexts, it tends to appear more often in news and media, as well as academic writing, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal tone. For more informal settings, simpler alternatives like "funny" or "hilarious" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very funny

Emphasizes the funniness of something, a more direct synonym.

extremely comical

Highlights the humorous aspect, with a more formal tone using "comical".

incredibly entertaining

Focuses on the entertaining quality, shifting the emphasis from humor to enjoyment.

hugely entertaining

Similar to "incredibly entertaining" but with a slightly less formal tone.

utterly hilarious

Stresses the extreme level of humor, intensifying the amusement.

thoroughly delightful

Indicates a pleasant and enjoyable experience, with a lighter, more charming tone.

sidesplittingly funny

Emphasizes the intensity of the laughter induced.

uproariously funny

Similar to "sidesplittingly funny", indicating loud and unrestrained laughter.

remarkably witty

Highlights the cleverness and intelligence behind the humor.

exceptionally diverting

Focuses on the ability to distract and entertain, often implying a welcome distraction.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly amusing" to describe something that is very funny or entertaining. For example, "The comedian's performance was "highly amusing", leaving the audience in stitches."

What are some alternatives to saying "highly amusing"?

You can use alternatives like "very funny", "extremely comical", or "incredibly entertaining" depending on the specific context.

Is "highly amusing" a formal or informal expression?

While usable in various contexts, "highly amusing" leans towards a more formal register. In casual settings, simpler terms like "funny" or "hilarious" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between ""highly amusing"" and "very funny"?

"Highly amusing" suggests a more sophisticated appreciation of humor, implying intellectual engagement. "Very funny" is a more direct and general expression of amusement.