side-splitter
A comedian told a side-splitter that had the whole audience roaring with laughter.
Definition
- Noun:
- An extremely funny joke or story: "side-splitter" refers to a joke, anecdote, or piece of comedy that is so hilarious it causes uncontrollable laughter, as if it might split one's sides.
- A person who tells such jokes: Less commonly, it can denote a comedian or humorist who consistently delivers very amusing material.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- His tale about the lost luggage was a real side-splitter. (A very funny story.)
- She told a side-splitter that had everyone in the room crying with laughter. (An extremely amusing joke.)
Advanced Usage
"to be a side-splitter": to be extremely funny.
- That comedian's routine is always a side-splitter. (The performance is consistently hilarious.)
"side-splitting laughter": laughter so intense it feels physically overwhelming.
- The audience erupted in side-splitting laughter at the punchline. (Laughter that is very loud and uncontrollable.)
Variants and Related Words
Side-splitting (adj): causing or characterized by extremely intense laughter.
- The film was side-splitting from start to finish. (The movie was exceptionally funny.)
Sidesplitter (n): an alternative spelling, though less common.
Synonyms
- Riot: something very funny (e.g., ).
- Howler: a very amusing mistake or joke (e.g., ).
- Scream: a person or thing that causes great amusement (e.g., ).
Related Idioms
Split one's sides: to laugh very hard.
- We nearly split our sides at his impression of the teacher. (We laughed uncontrollably.)
Laughing like a drain: to laugh very loudly and heartily.
- He was laughing like a drain at the side-splitter. (He laughed with great gusto.)
Notes on Register
- Informal: "side-splitter" is primarily used in casual, conversational contexts. It is rarely used in formal writing or academic speech.