# humor

/ˈhjumɝ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/humor
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 4. to go along with

verb · CEFR B2 · American English

to do what someone wants so they stay happy, even if you think they are being silly.

For teachers: to comply with the wishes of someone in order to keep them content or to avoid conflict.

- I don't agree with his theory, but I'll humor him for now.
- The staff decided to humor the eccentric guest's unusual requests rather than risk a public confrontation in the lobby.

Usage: Transitive verb taking a person as a direct object.

## Examples

- He has a great sense of humor.
- The speaker used self-deprecating humor to put the nervous audience at ease before starting the presentation.
- While the modern audience appreciates the play's dry humor, medieval scholars focus on how the characters' temperaments align with the four classical humors of ancient medicine.

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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.