side-splittingly funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "side-splittingly funny" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely humorous or causes a lot of laughter. Example: "The comedian's latest show was side-splittingly funny, leaving the audience in stitches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

He is reportedly finding "the whole thing side-splittingly funny".

Independent

Perhaps because it never leaves the real world behind, Letterman's show isn't always inventive enough to be truly side-splittingly funny.

The New Yorker

It proved that teenagers attempting to conceal their vulnerability under affected gangsterisms and misguided hats are side-splittingly funny, whatever their class, creed or chromosome.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is a novel that lifts spirits and, despite its setting and depiction of terrible abuse, is often "side-splittingly" funny, say judges.

The Guardian - Books

Mean big brothers, wimpy antics and awkward situations… You guessed it: this month's most read book on the Children's Books site is the "fantastic"and "side-splittingly funny" Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney!

The Guardian

Too provocative, it seems, for some Canadians.One of its star attractions is Mark Steyn, a columnist who is a sparkling, often side-splittingly funny writer and, by his own admission, "a Zionist neocon Bush shill".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Given St Martin's plight (though he did eventually break free from this disturbing set-up), perhaps this is not the most tasteful moment to mention that Roach is, quite frankly, side splittingly funny.

The Guardian

This TV Land gem has smitten viewers since day one with the phenomenal and effervescent cast, the side splittingly funny writing and dialogue, and the undeniable chemistry that this show exudes no matter what situation these manic ladies find themselves in!

Huffington Post

Mashing up Voices For Fun, Captain Beaky all Squeaky A formative childhood aural delight was the classic 1980 musical poem 'Captain Beaky and his Band' which my brother recorded at 45rpm complete with side splittingly funny helium voices (and now recreated very hastily in honor of this Huffington Post blog).

Huffington Post

Jeeves suggested I dress up as Mephistopheles, but after a side-splittingly unfunny adventure with a London cabby I never got to the fancy dress party where I planned to declare myself".

The Guardian - Books

As for the side-splittingly Wurzel-like encounter with Bob Dylan reported in Q, Reg remembers it rather differently: "He was over here to do his film, Hearts Of Fire, and I had a little bit part, just walk-on, walk-off, I suppose you would call it.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "side-splittingly funny" to describe situations, performances, or content that elicits strong, physical laughter. The phrase is best suited for contexts where the humor is obvious and highly effective.

Common error

While "side-splittingly funny" is widely understood, it can sound informal or hyperbolic in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more neutral terms like "very humorous" or "highly amusing" to maintain a tone that is appropriate to the context.

Linguistic Context

Side-splittingly funny functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "funny". It describes the degree to which something is humorous, suggesting that it provokes strong, physical laughter. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Books

9%

Arts

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science & Research

2%

Lifestyle

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "side-splittingly funny" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something exceptionally humorous. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it signifies humor that provokes strong, physical laughter. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overuse in overly formal contexts, opting for more neutral alternatives when appropriate. Phrases like "uproariously funny" or "hilariously amusing" offer similar connotations, while maintaining a sense of sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uproariously funny

Emphasizes loud and unrestrained laughter; suggests a higher intensity of humor.

hilariously amusing

Combines the idea of amusement with a high degree of hilarity.

extremely comical

Focuses on the comedic aspect, highlighting the absurdity or silliness of something.

laugh-out-loud funny

Highlights the audible reaction of laughter, indicating clear humor.

riotously funny

Indicates uncontrolled and boisterous laughter, suggesting a lively and energetic humor.

incredibly humorous

Focuses on the overall quality of being humorous, suggesting a strong sense of wit or comedy.

screamingly funny

Emphasizes the intensity of the humor to the point of eliciting screams of laughter.

chuckle-inducing

Indicates that something prompts quiet or suppressed laughter.

jolly amusing

Suggests lighthearted and cheerful amusement, implying a pleasant and agreeable humor.

sidesplitting

Shortened version of the original phrase; less common, but retains the original meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "side-splittingly funny" in a sentence?

You can use "side-splittingly funny" to describe something that causes a lot of laughter. For example, "The comedian's routine was "side-splittingly funny", leaving the audience in stitches".

What's a more formal alternative to "side-splittingly funny"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "very humorous", "extremely amusing", or "highly comical". These phrases maintain a sense of humor without sounding overly casual or hyperbolic.

Is "side-splittingly funny" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "side-splittingly funny" might be too informal for most academic writing. Opt for alternatives that convey humor in a more measured and professional tone, such as "notably humorous" or "particularly amusing".

Which is more common: "side-splittingly funny" or "hilariously funny"?

Both phrases are used to express that something is very funny. "Side-splittingly funny" suggests humor that evokes strong, physical laughter. While both phrases are common, Ludwig examples indicates that "side-splittingly funny" might be slightly less frequent than "hilariously funny".