Synonyms of humorous

humorous

adjective

ˈhyüm-rəs 

1

as in funny

causing or intended to cause laughter

the humorous moments in an otherwise somber affair

"most humorous costume" went to the girl dressed as Little Bo Peep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• funny
• comedic
• amusing
• comical
• comic
• entertaining
• hysterical
• ridiculous
• hilarious
• witty
• playful
• droll
• farcical
• uproarious
• ludicrous
• riotous
• humoristic
• laughable
• screaming
• antic
• chucklesome
• sidesplitting
• risible
• killing
• zany
• flippant
• slapstick
• merry
• clownish
• jocular
• whimsical
• facetious
• wry
• laughing
• waggish
• jokey
• diverting
• flip
• jovial
• slapsticky
• jolly
• mirthful
• smart
• campy
• jocose
• knockabout
• rich
• gleeful
• smart-alecky
• priceless
• smart-aleck
• pert
• mad
• jocund
• snickery
• blithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• lame
• humorless
• earnest
• solemn
• somber
• severe
• poignant
• tragic
• unfunny
• sober
• unamusing
• grave
• staid
• sedate
• unsmiling
• weighty
• unhumorous
• moving
• touching
• unhysterical
• sad
• uncomic
• affecting
• no-nonsense
• sorrowful
• mournful
• tearful
• sobersided
• woeful
• lachrymose

2

as in witty

given to or marked by mature intelligent humor

the movie's a humorous look at love and marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• witty
• clever
• funny
• jocular
• playful
• facetious
• amusing
• joking
• smart
• comical
• entertaining
• comic
• mischievous
• cerebral
• ridiculous
• hysterical
• frivolous
• droll
• intellectual
• farcical
• jovial
• teasing
• highbrow
• uproarious
• ludicrous
• riotous
• laughing
• laughable
• mirthful
• whimsical
• merry
• antic
• rollicking
• jolly
• flippant
• jocose
• risible
• sidesplitting
• jesting
• bantering
• waggish
• prankish
• screaming
• joshing
• highbrowed
• sparkling
• flip
• sunny
• diverting
• jocund
• scintillating
• smart-alecky
• smart-aleck
• pert

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stupid
• lowbrow
• lame
• witless
• corny
• brainless
• hackneyed
• serious
• humorless
• unfunny
• somber
• solemn
• earnest
• hackney
• sober
• grave
• serious-minded
• unamusing
• doleful
• plaintive
• tearful
• sorry
• dolorous
• woeful
• lachrymose
• uncomic

Synonym Chooser

How is the word humorous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of humorous are facetious, jocose, jocular, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

In what contexts can facetious take the place of humorous?

While the synonyms facetious and humorous are close in meaning, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

How are the words jocose and facetious related as synonyms of humorous?

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

jocose proposals

When might jocular be a better fit than humorous?

The synonyms jocular and humorous are sometimes interchangeable, but jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

When is witty a more appropriate choice than humorous?

Although the words witty and humorous have much in common, witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind.

a witty remark

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of humorous

What readers are saying The conversation explores a humorous and critical response to an article about making the perfect cup of coffee. — Tim Carman, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Down recalled one humorous tea time with de Havilland, which was hosted by Hayley and Juliet Mills’ mother (and John Mills’ wife), Mary. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026

The request, which Seaver shared in the family’s full death announcement⁠, offered a characteristically humorous final image from Parton and further illustrated the trust between the singer and her nephew. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Exclusives include Wouters & Hendrix, a 42-year-old brand based in Antwerp that specializes in organic, surreal and often humorous designs. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026