humorous
adjective
hu·mor·ous ˈhyüm-rəs 
ˈyüm-,
ˈhyü-mə-,
ˈyü-
1
a
: full of or characterized by that quality which appeals to a sense of the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous : full of or characterized by humor : funny
humorous stories
shared a humorous anecdote
b
: possessing, indicating, or expressive of an ability to be funny or to be amused by things that are funny : possessing, indicating, or expressive of a sense of humor
a humorous writer
studied his own life … with a shrewd and humorous eye
Harrison Smith
Harrison Smith2
obsolete : humid
humorously adverb
humorousness noun
Synonyms
- antic
- chucklesome
- comedic
- comic
- comical
- droll
- farcical
- funny
- hilarious
- humoristic
- hysterical
- hysteric
- killing
- laughable
- ludicrous
- ridiculous
- riotous
- risible
- screaming
- sidesplitting
- uproarious
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The book is very humorous. the humorous moments in an otherwise somber affair
Recent Examples on the Web This scene is humorous during the day, but once night falls, the combination of skeletons and spiders is enough to spook any visitor. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2022 Kilmeade tweeted Friday that the picture was doctored and its presentation was meant to be humorous. Stephen Battagliostaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2022 At the time of the original comment, Siwa went on to troll Bieber, sharing a humorous photo on her Instagram account that showed the teen riding in her vehicle alongside a cardboard cutout of the Canadian pop star. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 What follows is a puzzling and humorous whodunit featuring an ensemble cast that includes Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, David Oyelowo, Adrien Brody and Ruth Wilson. Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 Suter, the 6-foot-5 left-hander who developed the nickname thanks to his humorous gait, delivered a strong two innings, allowing two hits and a walk but no runs, and the Brewers came back to win on a walk-off home run, 7-5. Jr Radcliffe, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 El Arroyo has been an Austin staple for decades, mainly because of its humorous, sarcastic, and occasionally earnest marquee sign parked on Fifth Street. Abigail Rosenthal, Chron, 29 Aug. 2022 Suter, the 6-foot-5 left-hander who developed the nickname thanks to his humorous gait, delivered a strong two innings, allowing two hits and a walk but no runs, and the Brewers came back to win on a walk-off home run, 7-5. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2022 The person uttering the humorous joke or anecdote might be entirely unaware of how serious their utterance is being taken. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 See More
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2022 Kilmeade tweeted Friday that the picture was doctored and its presentation was meant to be humorous. Stephen Battagliostaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2022 At the time of the original comment, Siwa went on to troll Bieber, sharing a humorous photo on her Instagram account that showed the teen riding in her vehicle alongside a cardboard cutout of the Canadian pop star. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 What follows is a puzzling and humorous whodunit featuring an ensemble cast that includes Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, David Oyelowo, Adrien Brody and Ruth Wilson. Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 Suter, the 6-foot-5 left-hander who developed the nickname thanks to his humorous gait, delivered a strong two innings, allowing two hits and a walk but no runs, and the Brewers came back to win on a walk-off home run, 7-5. Jr Radcliffe, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 El Arroyo has been an Austin staple for decades, mainly because of its humorous, sarcastic, and occasionally earnest marquee sign parked on Fifth Street. Abigail Rosenthal, Chron, 29 Aug. 2022 Suter, the 6-foot-5 left-hander who developed the nickname thanks to his humorous gait, delivered a strong two innings, allowing two hits and a walk but no runs, and the Brewers came back to win on a walk-off home run, 7-5. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2022 The person uttering the humorous joke or anecdote might be entirely unaware of how serious their utterance is being taken. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see humor entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
humorous
adjective
hu·mor·ous ˈhyü-mə-rəs
ˈyü-
: full of humor : funny
humorous
adjective
1
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter the humorous moments in an otherwise somber affair "most humorous costume" went to the girl dressed as Little Bo Peep Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- funny
- comedic
- amusing
- comical
- comic
- entertaining
- hysterical
- hilarious
- witty
- ridiculous
- playful
- droll
- farcical
- humoristic
- uproarious
- riotous
- screaming
- ludicrous
- hysteric
- laughable
- antic
- chucklesome
- sidesplitting
- risible
- killing
- zany
- flippant
- slapstick
- jocular
- whimsical
- clownish
- facetious
- wry
- merry
- waggish
- jokey
- diverting
- laughing
- slapsticky
- jovial
- knockabout
- mirthful
- flip
- jolly
- smart
- jocose
- campy
- joky
- gleeful
- smart-alecky
- rich
- priceless
- pert
- jocund
- smart-aleck
- mad
- blithesome
- snickery
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- serious
- humorless
- unfunny
- unamusing
- lame
- somber
- poignant
- solemn
- earnest
- sombre
- tragic
- severe
- sober
- unhumorous
- unsmiling
- sedate
- staid
- tragical
- weighty
- grave
- touching
- moving
- uncomic
- unhysterical
- sad
- sorrowful
- no-nonsense
- mournful
- affecting
- tearful
- sobersided
- lachrymose
- woeful
2
as in witty
given to or marked by mature intelligent humor the movie's a humorous look at love and marriage Synonyms & Similar Words
- witty
- clever
- funny
- jocular
- playful
- amusing
- facetious
- joking
- comical
- entertaining
- smart
- comic
- mischievous
- droll
- ridiculous
- hysterical
- cerebral
- jesting
- jovial
- frivolous
- farcical
- teasing
- bantering
- highbrow
- uproarious
- laughing
- mirthful
- intellectual
- whimsical
- riotous
- ludicrous
- laughable
- prankish
- rollicking
- antic
- merry
- jocose
- flippant
- sidesplitting
- jolly
- joshing
- waggish
- diverting
- risible
- screaming
- jocund
- scintillating
- highbrowed
- flip
- sparkling
- sunny
- smart-alecky
- pert
- smart-aleck
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- stupid
- lowbrow
- corny
- lame
- witless
- serious
- brainless
- hackneyed
- humorless
- unfunny
- unamusing
- somber
- solemn
- earnest
- sombre
- sober
- hackney
- doleful
- grave
- tearful
- plaintive
- uncomic
- sorry
- dolorous
- woeful
- lachrymose
- serious-minded
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of humorous are facetious, jocose, jocular, and witty. While all these words mean "provoking or intended to provoke laughter," humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.
humorous anecdotes
While the synonyms facetious and humorous are close in meaning, facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.
facetious comments
Jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness.
jocose proposals
The synonyms jocular and humorous are sometimes interchangeable, but jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.
a jocular fellow
Although the words witty and humorous have much in common, witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind.
a witty remark