jocose

1 of 2

adjective

jo·​cose jō-ˈkōs 

jə-

1

: given to joking : merry

2

: characterized by joking : humorous

jocosely adverb

jocoseness noun

jocosity

jō-ˈkä-sə-tē 

jə-

noun

jocosity

2 of 2

noun

jo·​cos·​i·​ty jōˈkäsətē 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being jocose

talking with loud jocosity

—Bruce Marshall

2

: a jocose act or saying

a book of … sly and devastating jocosities

—American Mercury

Did you know?

The Funny Story of Jocose

When you need a word to describe something (or someone) that causes or is intended to cause laughter, you might pick jocose or a synonym such as humorous, witty, facetious, or jocular. Of those terms, humorous is the most generic and can be applied to anything that provokes laughter. Witty suggests cleverness and a quick mind, while facetious is a word for something that is not meant to be taken seriously. Jocose and jocular both imply a habitual waggishness and a fondness for joking.

Synonyms of jocose

Adjective

• merry
• jolly
• festive
• cheerful

Choose the Right Synonym for jocose

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 jocose in a Sentence

Adjective

the comedian's jocose introductions kept the awards ceremony from becoming a stodgy affair

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin jocōsus "fond of jokes, given to joking, laughable," from jocus "joke, jest" + -ōsus -ose entry 1 — more at joke entry 1

Noun

Latin jocosus + English -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for jocose

• arkose
• engross
• faroese
• fructose
• fucose
• gatos
• glucose
• morose
• plateaus
• spinose
• vadose
• adios

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Kids Definition

jocose

adjective

jo·​cose jō-ˈkōs 

: merry sense 1, mirthful

jocosely adverb

jocoseness noun