# humorous

/ˈhjumɝəs/ (US) · /hjˈuːməɹəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/humorous
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. funny or amusing

adjective · CEFR B2

funny and enjoyable; something that makes you smile or laugh.

For teachers: arousing laughter or amusement; characterized by humor or wit.

- He told a humorous story about his first day at work that made everyone laugh.
- The author's humorous observations about suburban life provide a lighthearted but accurate critique of modern social norms.

### 2. capricious or moody

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic

changing your mood or mind quickly for no clear reason.

For teachers: subject to or indicative of a person's changing moods or whims.

- In the old play, the king was a humorous man who changed his mind every hour.
- The character's humorous nature was attributed to an imbalance of fluids, leading to sudden and unpredictable shifts in his temperament.

Usage: This sense relates to the historical medical theory of the four humours.

Teaching tip: This sense is archaic and rarely encountered outside of historical literature or academic discussions of medieval medicine.

## Examples

- He told a humorous story about his first day at work.
- The speaker began her presentation with a humorous anecdote to help the audience feel more relaxed.
- 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.

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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.