humorous definition

English

Etymology

From Middle English humorous (compare Medieval Latin hūmorōsus), equivalent to humor +‎ -ous.

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: hyo͞o'mərəs, IPA^(key): /ˈhjuːməɹəs/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈhjuːməɹɪs/
• Rhymes: (UK) -uːməɹəs
• Homophone: humerus

Adjective

humorous (comparative more humorous, superlative most humorous)

1. Full of humor or arousing laughter; funny.

   The waiters were so humorous - one even did a backflip for us, when we asked him.

2. Showing humor; witty, jocular.
3. (obsolete) Damp or watery.
4. (obsolete) Dependent on or caused by one's humour or mood; capricious, whimsical.
   • c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], lines 380-83:

     [S]uch is now the Duke's condition
     That he misconstrues all that you have done.
     The Duke is humorous; what he is, indeed,
     More suits you to conceive than I to speak of.

   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, “Of the affection of fathers to their children”, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC, page 212:

     It is a melancholy humor […] that firſt put this humorous conceipt [translating resverie] of writing into my head.

   • 1861, Elizabeth Gaskell, The Grey Woman:

     I felt at this time as if I could have been fond of him too, if he would have let me; but I was timid from my childhood, and before long my dread of his displeasure […] conquered my humorous inclination to love one who was so handsome, so accomplished, so indulgent and devoted.

Usage notes

While the spelling humour is preferred over humor in British English, humorous is standard in both American and British English, and humourous is nonstandard.

Synonyms

• (arousing laughter): amusing, funny
• (witty): amusing, jocular, witty
• See also Thesaurus:funny
• See also Thesaurus:witty

Derived terms

• humorously

Related terms

• humor, humour

Translations