humor
HYOO-mer
Humor (noun) means the quality that makes something funny, or the ability to find and enjoy what is funny. Example: “The film's humor is dry and easy to miss.”
noun
1
The quality that makes something funny, or the ability to find and enjoy what is funny.
"The film's humor is dry and easy to miss."
"She has no sense of humor about her own cooking."
"I love his humor, because he can make me laugh on a bad day."
2
somewhat formal The mood or state of mind someone is in at a particular moment.
"The boss was in a foul humor all morning."
"She came home in a good humor after hearing the news."
"Wait until he is in a better humor before you ask him."
verb
1
To go along with what someone wants, even though you think they are being unreasonable, in order to keep them content.
"Just humor him and pretend you have not heard the story before."
"My aunt humors her little brother whenever he insists on telling the same joke."
"The nurse humored the confused patient and agreed to look for his keys."
How to use humor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat makes things funny, or the knack of seeing the funny side.
When to use it
Neutral. Use humor for American audiences and humour elsewhere, and keep the choice consistent across a document.
Memory tip
Humor me is a set phrase meaning do this for me even if it seems silly.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sense of humor
dry humor
dark humor
gallows humor
humor me
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like humor.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film's _____ is dry and easy to miss.
Etymology
From Latin humor meaning 'moisture' or 'fluid', through the medieval theory that four bodily fluids governed a person's temperament.
Synonyms
View more →
comedy
wit
funniness
drollery
mood
temper
frame of mind
disposition
indulge
accommodate
play along with
pander to
Related words
Rhymes for humor
See all rhymes for humor →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between humor and humour?
None in meaning. Humor is the American spelling and humour is used in Britain, Ireland, Australia and elsewhere. Both keep the u in humorous, and Americans write humorless where the British write humourless.
What were the four humors?
Blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. Ancient and medieval medicine held that the balance between them decided a person's health and personality, which is why humor came to mean mood and then wit.
What is the difference between humor and wit?
Humor is the broader quality of being funny and is often warm and situational. Wit is sharper and verbal, depending on quickness and clever phrasing rather than on sympathy.
What is the meaning of humor?
"humor" (noun) means the quality that makes something funny, or the ability to find and enjoy what is funny.
