Explanation at your level:
If something is humorous, it is funny. You laugh when you see it. A funny clown is humorous. A funny book is humorous. You can say: 'That story was very humorous!'
We use humorous to talk about things that make us smile or laugh. You might see a humorous video on the internet or hear a humorous joke from a friend. It is a polite way to say something is funny.
The word humorous is a great adjective for describing movies, books, or people who are naturally funny. It is slightly more formal than just saying 'funny'. For example, you might write, 'The author has a very humorous writing style,' in a book report.
Using humorous allows you to distinguish between something that is just silly and something that is genuinely witty or clever. It is often used in professional contexts, such as describing a humorous anecdote during a speech to lighten the mood.
In advanced English, humorous implies a level of sophistication. It suggests that the comedy is intentional and perhaps subtle. You might describe a humorous subtext in a play or a humorous irony in a piece of literature to show you understand the deeper layers of the work.
At the C2 level, you can appreciate the nuance of humorous as it relates to the 'humors' of the past. You might describe a character's humorous disposition as a way to link their personality to their comedic timing. It is a word that bridges the gap between simple amusement and artistic critique.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Humorous means causing laughter.
- It is an adjective.
- It is more formal than 'funny'.
- It comes from the Latin word for fluid.
When you call something humorous, you are saying that it has the power to make people laugh or smile. It is a very positive word used to describe content that is entertaining, witty, or lighthearted.
Think of your favorite comedian or a funny scene in a movie. That is the essence of being humorous. It is not just about being silly; it often involves a clever observation or a funny situation that brings joy to the audience.
The word humorous comes from the Latin word humor, which originally meant 'moisture' or 'fluid'. In ancient medicine, people believed that four 'humors' or bodily fluids controlled a person's health and personality.
Over time, the word evolved to refer to a person's 'disposition' or 'mood'. Eventually, because a 'good mood' often led to laughter, the word shifted to mean funny or comical. It is a fascinating journey from medical fluid to modern comedy!
You can use humorous in almost any setting, from casual conversations to professional writing. It is a bit more formal than the word 'funny', making it a great choice for essays or reviews.
Common collocations include a humorous story, a humorous remark, or a humorous situation. It is a versatile adjective that helps you describe exactly why something made you laugh.
While 'humorous' itself isn't usually in idioms, it relates to many funny expressions. To tickle one's funny bone means to make someone laugh. A barrel of laughs describes someone who is very funny. Laughing stock refers to someone who is the object of ridicule. Crack up means to burst into laughter. In stitches describes laughing uncontrollably.
Humorous is an adjective, so it describes nouns. It is pronounced HYOO-mer-us in both British and American English. The stress is on the first syllable.
It rhymes with words like numerous and glamerous. Remember that it ends in '-ous', which is a common suffix for adjectives in English.
Fun Fact
It comes from the ancient medical theory of the four humors.
Pronunciation Guide
HYOO-mer-us
HYOO-mer-us
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'h' as silent
- Stressing the second syllable
- Adding an extra 'i' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to speak
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective Placement
The humorous dog.
Suffixes
The -ous suffix.
Subject-Verb Agreement
They are humorous.
Examples by Level
The clown is humorous.
clown = funny person
adjective after verb
I like humorous books.
books = reading
adjective before noun
That was a humorous movie.
movie = film
past tense
He is a humorous man.
man = person
simple description
It is a humorous story.
story = tale
article usage
The joke was humorous.
joke = funny words
subject-verb
Do you like humorous shows?
shows = television
question form
That is very humorous!
very = degree
intensifier
The teacher told a humorous story.
I found the cartoon very humorous.
She has a humorous way of speaking.
That was a humorous misunderstanding.
We watched a humorous play last night.
His humorous comments made us laugh.
Is this book supposed to be humorous?
They shared a humorous moment together.
The comedian gave a humorous performance.
Her humorous approach to the problem helped.
It was a humorous take on modern life.
He is known for his humorous anecdotes.
The article had a humorous tone.
I appreciate your humorous perspective.
They had a humorous debate about food.
The film is a humorous look at history.
The play was filled with humorous irony.
She provided a humorous commentary on the event.
His humorous remarks eased the tension.
The book is a humorous critique of society.
I found the situation quite humorous.
They shared a humorous exchange at the party.
The author uses a humorous style to engage readers.
It was a surprisingly humorous conclusion.
The author's humorous prose is truly brilliant.
He offered a humorous observation on human nature.
The presentation was both informative and humorous.
The film uses humorous satire to mock politics.
Her humorous wit is her best quality.
It was a humorous twist in an otherwise dark story.
The essay provides a humorous look at office life.
They engaged in a humorous banter for hours.
The novel is a humorous exploration of existential angst.
His humorous delivery belied a deeper seriousness.
The play is a masterpiece of humorous timing.
She possesses a dry, humorous sensibility.
The screenplay is praised for its humorous dialogue.
It was a humorous juxtaposition of styles.
The text serves as a humorous allegory for modern times.
His humorous perspective adds depth to the narrative.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"tickle one's funny bone"
to make someone laugh
That joke really tickled my funny bone.
casual"a barrel of laughs"
someone or something very funny
That party was a barrel of laughs.
casual"crack up"
to burst into laughter
I cracked up when I saw his costume.
casual"in stitches"
laughing uncontrollably
The comedian had us in stitches.
casual"laughing stock"
someone who is ridiculed
He didn't want to be the laughing stock.
neutral"have the last laugh"
to succeed after others doubted you
She had the last laugh in the end.
neutralEasily Confused
noun vs adjective
Humor is the thing, humorous is the description.
He has a great sense of humor (noun). He is a humorous guy (adj).
similar root
Humid means wet, humorous means funny.
The air is humid. The joke is humorous.
both mean funny
Hilarious is much stronger than humorous.
That was humorous. That was hilarious!
both mean funny
Amusing is often more gentle.
The story was amusing.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + humorous
The show is humorous.
Subject + found + [noun] + humorous
I found the book humorous.
It + was + a + humorous + [noun]
It was a humorous mistake.
Subject + has + a + humorous + [noun]
He has a humorous style.
The + [noun] + was + humorous
The remark was humorous.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
The suffix -ful is not used with humor.
While 'very humorous' is correct, 'hilarious' is a stronger single word.
The adverb form is humorously, not humorly.
While 'humorousness' exists, 'humor' is more natural.
Adjectives need a noun to describe.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a funny person standing in your living room.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when reviewing books or movies.
Cultural Insight
Humor varies by culture; be careful with jokes.
Grammar Shortcut
It is an adjective, so it describes a noun.
Say It Right
Don't forget the 'y' sound in the first syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'humorousful'.
Did You Know?
It shares a root with 'humid'.
Study Smart
Write three sentences using 'humorous' today.
Writing Tip
Use 'humorous' to make your essays more engaging.
Speaking Tip
Use it to describe a funny friend.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Human + Orous (Ours): The human humor is ours to share.
Visual Association
A clown laughing with a big red nose.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use the word 'humorous' in a conversation today.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: moisture, fluid
Cultural Context
Humor is subjective; what is humorous to one culture might be offensive to another.
Humor is a huge part of British and American culture; self-deprecating humor is very common.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- humorous teacher
- humorous story
- humorous class
at work
- humorous remark
- humorous anecdote
- humorous moment
watching movies
- humorous scene
- humorous character
- humorous plot
reading books
- humorous author
- humorous tone
- humorous writing
Conversation Starters
"What is the most humorous movie you have ever seen?"
"Do you think you are a humorous person?"
"Can you tell me a humorous story from your childhood?"
"Why do you think some things are humorous to some people but not others?"
"Who is the most humorous person you know?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a humorous situation you experienced recently.
Write about a person you know who is very humorous.
Why is it important to have a humorous perspective in life?
Compare a book you read to a humorous movie you watched.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, but humorous is slightly more formal.
Yes, a humorous person is someone who makes others laugh.
Humorous is the standard spelling.
Humorously.
Yes, a humorous situation is one that is funny.
No, it is generally positive.
HYOO-mer-us.
Yes, it is used frequently in English.
Test Yourself
The clown is very ___.
Humorous means funny.
Which word is a synonym for humorous?
Funny is a synonym.
A funeral is usually described as humorous.
Funerals are solemn, not humorous.
Word
Meaning
Matches synonyms and antonyms.
He told a humorous story.
His ___ remarks lightened the mood.
Humorous remarks make people laugh.
Which sentence uses humorous correctly?
Adjective usage is correct.
Humorous comes from the word for moisture.
Etymology relates to Latin 'humor' meaning fluid.
Word
Meaning
Advanced synonyms.
It was a humorous display of wit.
Score: /10
Summary
Humorous is the perfect word to describe something that brings a smile to your face.
- Humorous means causing laughter.
- It is an adjective.
- It is more formal than 'funny'.
- It comes from the Latin word for fluid.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a funny person standing in your living room.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when reviewing books or movies.
Cultural Insight
Humor varies by culture; be careful with jokes.
Grammar Shortcut
It is an adjective, so it describes a noun.
Example
He told a humorous story that made everyone laugh.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
amuse
A2To make someone laugh or smile.
anger
A2A strong feeling of annoyance or hostility.
crazy
B1Mad; insane.
cry
A2To produce tears, often because you are sad or hurt.
dear
A2Regarded with deep affection; beloved.
desire
B2To strongly wish for or want something.
dislike
A2To not like someone or something.
dull
A2Lacking interest or excitement.
excitement
A2The state of being very happy and enthusiastic.
fantastic
A2Extraordinarily good or attractive.
