may someone tell me the difference between "only and mere" " hilarious and funny"? Thanks a lot!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2011 04:58AM by Olive.

Aren't you USA citizen?

wow these word groups are so close to the same thing I am tempted to call them synonyms, but they only have mere differences between them

Only - to indicate single or one of a group or kind: eg I am an only child,
used to express a single want trying to minimize the want: eg But Dadddy, I only want a pony,
mere - only slight/small or little difference eg, the red car won by a mere .02 seconds.


Funny and Hilarious

Best i can describe these is Funny makes you laugh, hilarious makes you laugh till you cry.
Hilarious is a higher degree of funny.

eg: good / great

anyone elsle have a thought on these?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2011 08:13AM by Piggerman.

Only - small amount "I only won by 10 seconds" or can be 1 one of something "I am an only child" as piggerman said.

Mere - Small amount, it's used when you want to emphasize just how small the thing was, "I was a mere 6 pounds when I was born" or you want to emphasize how small the difference was "He only won the race by a mere 1/4 of a second."

Funny - Something that makes you laugh or you find amusing.

Hilarious - Much stronger than funny. "I find your joke funny but his was hilarious!"

Good - Something positive or that you like

Great - Much stronger than good. "Your cake was good but his was great!"

It's all just a matter of strength basically.