What does humorous mean Meaning and Definition
What does humorous mean
Pronunciation
/ˈhjuː.mər.əs/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Pleasing or entertaining because of being amusing or comical; having the quality of causing laughter or amusement.
Examples
- The comedian’s humorous take on politics had the audience in stitches.
- The movie’s humorous spin on the classic tale was a surprise hit.
Synonyms
- Amusing
- Comic
- Witty
Antonyms
- Humdrum
- Insipid
- Deadpan
Etymology
From Latin ‘umor’, meaning ‘moisture’ or ‘humor’, and Greek ‘eros’, meaning ‘pleasure’.
Usage Notes
Humorous can describe not only things that are funny, but also those that are playful, lighthearted, or whimsical.
Additional Information
Humor is a complex phenomenon that can be subjective, cultural, and context-dependent. What one person finds humorous, another might not. Humorous can also be used to describe irony, satire, or absurdity, which can be used to critique or highlight social issues.
In addition to its literal meaning, humorous can also imply a sense of playfulness, wit, or cleverness. In this sense, humorous is often used to describe someone’s personality, behavior, or writing style.
The history of humor can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where comedic actors, jesters, and jesters were used to entertain kings and court jesters.
Cultural References
- The popular comedy troupe, Monty Python, is often regarded as one of the most humorous groups in history.
- The classic comedy film, “Airplane!” (1980), is a prime example of humorous storytelling.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “In a humorous vein”
- “With a humorous twist”
- “Humorous aside”
Related Words or Phrases
- Funny
- Ammusing
- Amusement
Collocations
- humorous person
- humorous joke
- humorous film
Frequency of Use
According to the Oxford English Corpus, humorous is one of the most common adjectives used in modern English language.
Common Misspellings
- Humourus
- Humorousy