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
• laughing
• riotous
• 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

The first day used to be so chaotic and humorous in the old days, with players not knowing how to put on helmets let alone figure out shoulder pads and struggling in line drills. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026

And a podcast called Greeking Out from NatGeo offers a humorous spin on ancient Greek myths for kids and even includes fun historical tidbits. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 July 2026

The show featured the late Chief Judge Frank Caprio, who was known for his compassionate and humorous approach in the courtroom. — Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 16 July 2026

Post-Love Island USA, Terry and Tshnieder have actually been thriving, leaning into their messy onscreen breakup by collaborating on a humorous photoshoot that featured Terry throwing coffee in his face. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026