Pronunciation: [hɪstˈɛɹɪkli] (IPA) 
Hysterically is spelled with the letter "h" followed by the vowel cluster "ys", which creates a long "i" sound. The following letter "t" separates the syllables, with the stress falling on the first syllable. The letters "er" create a schwa sound, and the final syllable is pronounced with a long "klee" sound, represented by the letters "al" and the suffix "-ly". The IPA phonetic transcription for hysterically is /hɪˈstɛrɪkli/.
Hysterically is an adverb that describes an action or behavior characterized by extreme and uncontrolled emotional expression. Derived from the term hysteria, which in medical contexts referred historically to a neurotic disorder primarily affecting women, hysterically generally portrays a state of exaggerated or uncontrollable reactions, often accompanied by loud or excited outbursts of laughter, crying, or other forms of intense emotional responses.
In its modern usage, hysterically disregards gender and is employed to describe a wide range of emotional experiences, not necessarily associated with a medical condition. It commonly denotes uncontrollable laughter or crying that is excessive, almost irrational, and beyond what might be perceived as appropriate or reasonable for a given situation. For instance, someone may laugh hysterically at a simple joke, unable to contain their laughter or appearing to find something disproportionately funny. Similarly, a person might become hysterical when faced with a shocking or distressing event, reacting with excessive sobbing or screaming.
Although hysteria carries a historical connotation of uncontrollable emotional states, the use of hysterically has evolved to encompass a broader sense of extreme emotionality. While its precise interpretation can depend on the context and the specific emotions involved, the term generally suggests an intense and uncontainable flood of feelings, often portrayed through dramatic or exaggerated displays.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hysterically" is derived from the noun "hysteria". "Hysteria" originates from the Greek word "hystera", which means "womb". In ancient medical belief, hysteria was associated with disorders believed to be specific to women and thought to be caused by disturbances in the uterus. Over time, the term evolved to refer to a wide range of uncontrolled emotional or irrational behavior, not limited to women. The adverb form "hysterically" is used to describe an action or reaction that is excessive, uncontrollable, or highly emotional.
