adj
facetious
fuh-SEE-shuhs
Facetious (adj) means joking about something in a flippant way, especially when the topic deserves to be taken seriously. Example: “This is a serious meeting, so please stop being facetious.”
adj
1
Joking about something in a flippant way, especially when the topic deserves to be taken seriously.
"This is a serious meeting, so please stop being facetious."
"He made a facetious remark about the budget cuts that didn't land well."
How to use facetious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishJoking around when you're supposed to be serious, often in a way that annoys people.
Common mistake
Facetious means flippantly joking; it does not mean "witty" in a complimentary sense — it usually carries a slightly negative, inappropriate-timing connotation.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a facetious comment
being facetious
facetious remark
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more facetious
- Superlative
- most facetious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This is a serious meeting, so please stop being _____.
Etymology
From French facétieux, from Latin facetia, "jest, wit."
Synonyms
View more →
bantering
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for facetious
See all rhymes for facetious →Frequently asked questions
What does “facetious” mean?
The word “facetious” means joking about something in a flippant way, especially when the topic deserves to be taken seriously. In plain terms, joking around when you're supposed to be serious, often in a way that annoys people.
How do you pronounce “facetious”?
“Facetious” is pronounced fuh-SEE-shuhs (/fəˈsiːʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “facetious” in a sentence?
Here is “facetious” used in a sentence: “This is a serious meeting, so please stop being facetious.”
What part of speech is “facetious”?
“Facetious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “facetious” come from?
The word “facetious” comes from Latin. From French facétieux, from Latin facetia, "jest, wit.".
