ENGLISH
REFERENCE

humorous

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈhjumɝəs// UK //hjˈuːməɹəs// hu·mor·ous Archaic General-service

adj. funny and making you want to laugh. It is often used to describe things that are clever or amusing rather than just silly.

adj. causing lighthearted laughter or amusement; characterized by wit or comedy.


SIMPLE

He told a humorous story about his first day at work.

CONTEXTUAL

The speaker began her presentation with a humorous anecdote to help the audience feel more relaxed.

COMPLEX

The novel's success lies in its humorous observation of social etiquette, managing to be deeply critical of the upper class while remaining consistently entertaining.

Antonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun or as a predicative adjective after a linking verb.

Pitfall

He is a very humor personHe is a very humorous personLearners often use the noun 'humor' as an adjective instead of the correct adjectival form 'humorous'.

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