# gallows humor

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/gallows-humor
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A form of comedy that still manages to be humorous in the face of, and in response to, a tragic or hopeless situation.

## Examples

- The soldiers used gallows humor to cope with the long, cold night.
- Even as the ship was sinking, some passengers shared gallows humor to keep their spirits up.
- Faced with a terminal diagnosis, she developed a sharp gallows humor that startled visitors but helped her family navigate the unbearable.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.