Humour: meaning, definitions and examples

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humour

 

[ หˆhjuหmษ™r ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

sense of amusement

Humour is the ability to find things funny, the way people react to things that make them laugh, or the ways in which different cultures find things amusing. It is a quality that makes something amusing or entertaining.

Synonyms

amusement, comedy, fun, wit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
humour

Refers to the quality of being funny or entertaining. Suitable for describing someone's sense of fun or the funny aspect of something.

  • He has a great sense of humour.
  • The humour in the movie kept the audience laughing.
comedy

Typically refers to a genre of entertainment that aims to make people laugh, such as movies, TV shows, or stand-up performances.

  • We watched a comedy show last night.
  • She loves comedy films.
fun

Describes something that is entertaining and enjoyable. Often used in casual contexts and can be applied broadly.

  • We had so much fun at the beach.
  • The party was great fun.
amusement

Used when referring to something that provides entertainment or causes someone to laugh or smile. Often describes a feeling or state of being.

  • The children watched the clown with great amusement.
  • Her stories always fill me with amusement.
wit

Refers to the ability to use words in a clever and humorous way. Often describes a quick and inventive verbal humor.

  • He is known for his sharp wit.
  • Her wit made the conversation enjoyable.

Examples of usage

  • He has a great sense of humour and always makes me laugh.
  • British humour is known for being dry and sarcastic.
  • She enjoys watching stand-up comedy because she appreciates clever humour.
Context #2 | Verb

to amuse or entertain

To humour someone means to indulge, entertain, or agree with them, especially when you do not necessarily want to do so. It can also mean to adapt to someone's mood or whim in order to keep them content.

Synonyms

accommodate, entertain, indulge, pamper.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
humour

In another context, this word can also mean using comedy or jokes to make others laugh.

  • His humour always brightens up the room.
  • She has a great sense of humour and makes everyone laugh.
indulge

Use 'indulge' when letting someone do or have something they enjoy, often more than is good for them.

  • They indulged in a luxurious spa day on their vacation.
  • It's important not to indulge the children too much, or they might become spoiled.
entertain

This word is appropriate when you are amusing or providing enjoyment to others, often during social gatherings or events.

  • She loves to entertain guests with her cooking and stories.
  • The comedian entertained the audience with his jokes.
accommodate

Use this word when you are making adjustments or providing what is needed for someone else's comfort or convenience.

  • The hotel was able to accommodate all our special requests.
  • They had to change their plans to accommodate the new schedule.
pamper

This word is good for situations where you are treating someone with extreme care and attention, making them feel very comfortable and special.

  • She pampered her mother with a full day at the beauty salon.
  • On her birthday, they pampered her with breakfast in bed and a day of relaxation.

Examples of usage

  • She humoured her little sister by playing dress-up with her.
  • The boss humoured his employee's strange request to work from home.

Translations

Translations of the word "humour" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น humor

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคนเคพเคธเฅเคฏ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Humor

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ humor

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณัƒะผะพั€

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ humor

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒฆใƒผใƒขใ‚ข

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท humour

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ humor

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท mizah

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์œ ๋จธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฏุนุงุจุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ humor

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ humor

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅนฝ้ป˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ humor

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hรบmor

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำ™ะทั–ะป

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ˜แƒฃแƒ›แƒแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yumor

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ humor

Etymology

The word 'humour' originated from the Old French 'umor', which came from the Latin 'umorem' meaning 'moisture' or 'fluid'. In medieval times, it was believed that a balance of four bodily fluids or 'humours' (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) determined a person's temperament and health. Over time, the word evolved to represent a person's disposition or temperament, eventually leading to its modern meaning of amusement or the ability to find things funny.

See also: hum, human, humble, humid, humor.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,330 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.