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

• funny
• comedic
• amusing
• comical
• comic
• entertaining

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

The trend has inspired a number of humorous memes and encouraged analytical conversation about gender norms. —Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025

However, Preller's team was happy to let loose during the postgame celebration, and the GM had a humorous recollection of a FaceTime call in the clubhouse from right fielder Fernando Tatís, who woke up feeling sick on Monday and stayed home instead of coming to the ballpark. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025

Meanwhile, nonbelievers create humorous content, featuring videos of empty clothes draped over furniture or laid out on the street, suggesting they were abandoned by those who were raptured. —Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Sep. 2025

This year’s Best Picture winner Anora could be classified as a romantic dramedy of sorts, and other recent noms in the category, like American Fiction, Barbie and winner Everything Everywhere all at Once, certainly have humorous throughlines. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see humor entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for humorous

• humerus
• numerous

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