thoroughly amused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly amused" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of being very entertained or finding something very funny. Example: "I was thoroughly amused by the comedian's performance last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

You're a nice guy... and you're so lucky!" The crowd are being thoroughly amused by this likeable and wry winner.

The Guardian - Sport

Those 8 and under are thoroughly amused when King Charming (Joseph Schommer) says, "I'm going to throw a ball at the palace," and the Prince (Joseph Zuzel) admonishes him about breaking windows.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At the host's expense Thomson's witty and thoroughly-researched speech certainly amused all present, but probably not Soho House, which uses signs on its toilet doors to inform patrons of its strict policy of zero drug tolerance.

The Guardian

Chang looks amused.

The New Yorker

He wasn't amused.

The New York Times

He appears amused.

The New Yorker

Not everyone's amused.

Independent

I was almost amused.

Independent

He is not amused.

The New York Times

Mr. O'Donovan is amused.

The New York Times - Food

He sounded amused.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thoroughly amused" when you want to emphasize the completeness of your amusement. It implies a deep and satisfying level of enjoyment.

Common error

While "thoroughly" emphasizes the amusement, avoid stacking multiple intensifiers (e.g., 'very thoroughly amused') as it can sound redundant and weaken the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly amused" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being very entertained or finding something very funny. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thoroughly amused" is a grammatically sound and semantically clear way to express a deep sense of amusement. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and appropriate for use in written English. While not overly common, the phrase is versatile and suitable for a range of contexts, though primarily found in news and media. When using "thoroughly amused", consider its impact and avoid redundancy with other intensifiers to maintain clarity and effectiveness. Alternatives such as "completely entertained" or "genuinely amused" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thoroughly entertained

Synonymous, but 'entertained' focuses more on the source of the amusement.

genuinely amused

Emphasizes the sincerity and authenticity of the amusement felt.

completely entertained

Focuses on the entertainment aspect, suggesting sustained engagement and enjoyment.

utterly delighted

Emphasizes a stronger feeling of pleasure and joy compared to simple amusement.

extremely tickled

Expresses a heightened sense of amusement, almost verging on gleefulness.

greatly pleased

Highlights satisfaction and contentment, indicating a positive emotional response.

very tickled

Indicates a light-hearted amusement, almost to the point of being delighted by something cute or silly.

highly diverted

Suggests a temporary distraction that is found to be enjoyable.

thoroughly gratified

Implies a deep satisfaction, going beyond mere amusement to suggest contentment.

entirely captivated

Suggests being completely enthralled and charmed, moving beyond simple amusement.

FAQs

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

You can use "thoroughly amused" to describe someone's reaction to something funny or entertaining. For example, "The audience was thoroughly amused by the comedian's jokes."

What's the difference between "thoroughly amused" and "slightly amused"?

"Thoroughly amused" indicates a strong sense of enjoyment and entertainment, whereas "slightly amused" suggests a milder, less intense reaction.

What can I say instead of "thoroughly amused"?

You can use alternatives like "completely entertained", "greatly pleased", or "utterly delighted" depending on the context.

Is "thoroughly amused" formal or informal?

The phrase "thoroughly amused" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone of the writing rather than the specific situation.