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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• lame
• humorless
• unfunny
• earnest
• solemn
• somber
• sombre
• severe
• poignant
• tragic
• sober
• unamusing
• grave
• staid
• sedate
• unsmiling
• weighty
• unhumorous
• tragical
• 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
• sombre
• 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

Examples of humorous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here are some highlights from Giannis Antetokounmpo's media day — including some humorous details about his wedding. —Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 30 Sep. 2024

In April 2023, Foreigner took a similarly humorous approach with a fake post announcing their induction. —Jade Gomez, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024

Interestingly, the Happiness Report uncovered that 90% of individuals are more likely to recall humorous ads, and 72% would choose a brand that has a sense of humor. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

With a humorous nod to the past, Hodges named his new bar the Belly Up Tavern. —Steve Donofrio, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024