sidesplitter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Colloquial, Humorous
Quick answer
What does “sidesplitter” mean?
A joke, story, or performance that is extremely funny, causing uncontrollable laughter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A joke, story, or performance that is extremely funny, causing uncontrollable laughter.
A person who consistently tells very funny jokes or performs hilarious acts; something (e.g., a book, film) characterized by its capacity to provoke extreme laughter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is understood and used similarly in both varieties. It is slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
Equally informal and jocular in both varieties.
Frequency
Overall a low-frequency word. Its frequency is marginally higher in American English due to its occasional use in show business and comedy reviews.
Grammar
How to Use “sidesplitter” in a Sentence
The [noun phrase] was a real sidesplitter.He told a sidesplitter about...She's known as a sidesplitter.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; only in very informal contexts describing a humorous presentation or anecdote.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used informally among friends and family to describe something very funny.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sidesplitter”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Spelling as two words: 'side splitter'.
- Mispronouncing /ˈsaɪdˌsplɪtə/ as /ˈsaɪdzplɪtə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is strictly informal and colloquial, used in humorous or relaxed contexts.
Yes, it can refer to a comedian or a person who tells extremely funny jokes, e.g., 'My uncle is a real sidesplitter at parties.'
'Hilarious' is an adjective describing something as very funny. 'Sidesplitter' is a noun naming the funny thing or person itself. You could say 'a hilarious sidesplitter'.
It has low frequency. It's understood but not an everyday word. Similar, more common phrases include 'had me in stitches' or 'a real laugh'.
A joke, story, or performance that is extremely funny, causing uncontrollable laughter.
Sidesplitter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪdˌsplɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪdˌsplɪt̬ər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be a real sidesplitter”
- “to have them in the aisles (similar effect)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine laughing so hard your SIDES feel like they might SPLIT – that's a SIDESPLITTER.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAUGHTER IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (powerful enough to break the body).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'sidesplitter' be MOST appropriate?