humorous

adjective

hu·​mor·​ous ˈhyüm-rəs 

ˈyüm-,

ˈhyü-mə-,

ˈyü-

1

a

: full of or characterized by that quality which appeals to a sense of the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous : full of or characterized by humor : funny

humorous stories

shared a humorous anecdote

b

: possessing, indicating, or expressive of an ability to be funny or to be amused by things that are funny : possessing, indicating, or expressive of a sense of humor

a humorous writer

studied his own life … with a shrewd and humorous eye

—Harrison Smith

2

obsolete : humid

humorously adverb

humorousness noun

Synonyms

• antic
• chucklesome
• comedic
• comic
• comical
• droll
• farcical
• funny
• hilarious
• humoristic
• hysterical
• hysteric
• killing
• laughable
• ludicrous
• ridiculous
• riotous
• risible
• screaming
• sidesplitting
• uproarious

Choose the Right Synonym for humorous

witty, humorous, facetious, jocular, jocose mean provoking or intended to provoke laughter.

witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind.

a witty remark

humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness.

jocose proposals

Examples of humorous in a Sentence

The book is very humorous.

the humorous moments in an otherwise somber affair

Recent Examples on the Web

Each vintage the back labels are different, and resemble traditional circus tickets and playbills, containing creative and humorous messages that harken to the olden days of wonder and spectacle. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024

Her women’s expressions are sardonic, humorous, perplexed, or even slightly bilious, and all of them are versions of herself. —Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2024

Raw and sometimes humorous, the audience learns more about Donny and the complexities and events that have shaped his humanity. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024

There’s a glee in the Nazi killing and an exceptionally dry humor that is English through and through, but Ritchie strikes a tone that rides the line between self-serious and self-consciously humorous. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

Joined by friends such as Amy Poehler, Colin Quinn, Malcolm Gladwell, June Diane Raphael and others, the duo engage in humorous conversations that also contain genuine advice, tips and gems about small talk's benefits that listeners can apply to their own lives. —Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024

The filmmakers shrewdly incorporate timely topics like fast fashion, food insecurity, toxic masculinity and privilege in a humorous, intelligent manner. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024

But the reality of the island is far less humorous than that. —Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024

Their humorous meeting evolves into an electric connection. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see humor entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

humorous

adjective

hu·​mor·​ous ˈhyüm-(ə-)rəs 

ˈyüm-

: full of, characterized by, or expressing humor : droll

a humorous story

humorously adverb

humorousness noun