noun

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

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."

somewhat formal The mood or state of mind someone is in at a particular moment.

"The boss was in a foul humor all morning."

verb

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."

How to use humor

Learner’s notes

In 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

humour → humorous → humus → rumor →

Common pairings

sense of humor dry humor dark humor gallows humor humor me

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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.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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comedy wit funniness drollery mood temper frame of mind disposition indulge accommodate play along with pander to

Related words

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Rhymes for humor

rumor tumor

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.

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