humorous
HYOO-muh-ruhs
Humorous (adjective) means Funny or amusing; intended to make people laugh. Example: “He gave a humorous speech at his brother's wedding.”
adjective
1
Funny or amusing; intended to make people laugh.
"He gave a humorous speech at his brother's wedding."
"The book takes a humorous look at office life."
"The teacher told a humorous story that had the whole class laughing."
How to use humorous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that's funny or written/said to get a laugh.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "humorless" (not funny at all) or misspell as "humourous" — UK English keeps the "u" in humour but drops it here: humorous.
UK vs US
Both UK and US English spell the adjective "humorous" (no "u"), even though UK keeps "humour" as a noun.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
humorous tone
humorous anecdote
a humorous take
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more humorous
- Superlative
- most humorous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave a _____ speech at his brother's wedding.
Etymology
From Middle English humorous, built on humor + -ous.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for humorous
See all rhymes for humorous →Frequently asked questions
What does “humorous” mean?
The word “humorous” means funny or amusing; intended to make people laugh. In plain terms, something that's funny or written/said to get a laugh.
How do you pronounce “humorous”?
“Humorous” is pronounced HYOO-muh-ruhs (/ˈhjuːməɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “humorous” in a sentence?
Here is “humorous” used in a sentence: “He gave a humorous speech at his brother's wedding.”
What part of speech is “humorous”?
“Humorous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “humorous” come from?
The word “humorous” comes from Middle English. From Middle English humorous, built on humor + -ous.
Is “humorous” a common word?
“Humorous” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between humorous and funny?
Humorous describes something intended or designed to amuse, often in a clever or gentle way, while funny is a broader, more informal word that covers anything that provokes laughter, including things that are simply odd or ridiculous. Humorous tends to suit writing about comedy, speeches, or stories, whereas funny fits everyday conversation.
Is humorous spelled with an "e" as humerous?
No, the correct spelling is humorous, with an "o" after the "m." Humerus (with an "e") is an unrelated word referring to the upper arm bone, so the two are easily confused in writing.
What is the difference between humorous and witty?
Humorous simply means intended to amuse or make people laugh, while witty implies a sharper, quicker kind of humor built on clever wordplay or a fast comeback. A witty remark is always humorous, but not everything humorous requires the cleverness that being witty implies.
