WordGarden.iohumor
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /hjˈuːmə/
US
- /ˈhjumər/
Meanings
Noun
the quality of being funny or a form of comedy
the ability or tendency to notice and enjoy what is funny
a person's mood or state of mind
More meaningsFewer meanings
a bodily fluid, especially in anatomical or older medical use
Verb
to indulge or accommodate someone to keep them satisfied
Beyond the definition
Humor is what makes something funny or amusing. You find it in jokes, stories, awkward moments, playful talk, and the small things in daily life that make people laugh or smile. Because it is personal, people often have very different senses of humor; what one person finds funny, another person may not enjoy at all. A good sense of humor can make hard moments easier and help people feel closer to each other.
The word also has another common use. If you humor someone, you go along with what they want or say, often just to keep things calm or avoid an argument. There is also an older meaning connected to a person's mood or temperament, but in everyday English, the main idea is still what people find funny.
Humor is far more than just a trigger for laughter; it is a complex human trait involving the ability to perceive and appreciate things that are amusing or comical. It manifests in many forms—from physical slapstick and witty wordplay to biting satire and ironic observations. Humor can be found in everyday life, art, literature, and social interactions. A "sense of humor" is highly subjective; what one person finds funny depends on their background, culture, personality, and even their current mood. Some enjoy dry wit, others prefer silly puns, while some appreciate dark or "gallows" humor.
Beyond entertainment, humor serves vital purposes. It is a powerful coping mechanism for dealing with stress or difficult emotions, and it builds social bonds by creating shared experiences of joy. It can also be used to critique society or challenge authority. Furthermore, "humor" has a specific use as a verb: to humor someone means to comply with their wishes or go along with their ideas, often just to keep them content or avoid an argument.
The word "humor" originally stems from the ancient Greek medical belief that health depended on the balance of four "humors" (bodily fluids). An imbalance was thought to dictate a person's temperament or "humor"—for instance, causing a gloomy or "melancholy" disposition. Today, we understand humor as something far more nuanced and essential to the human experience. Whether it is a lighthearted chuckle or a hearty belly laugh, humor enriches our lives and connects us all.
Examples
- 1
Shared taste
We have the same sense of humor.
- 2
Dry comedy
His humor is so dry that people sometimes miss the joke.
- Phrasedry humor
jokes said in a serious way
- 3
Writing
The writer uses humor to talk about family problems.
- 4
Tense situations
A little humor can make a tense meeting easier.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Understanding jokes
I didn't see the humor in his comment.
- Patternsee the humor in + thing/situation
understand why it is funny
- 6
Serious topics
The show is known for its dark humor.
- Phrasedark humor
jokes about serious or upsetting things
- 7
Teasing
She took the teasing with good humor.
- Phrasewith good humor
without getting angry
- 8
Indulgent request
Just humor me and try it once.
- Patternhumor + person
do what they want to keep them happy, even if you do not fully agree
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- humornounverb
Forms
- humorspluralnounverb
- humoredpast tenseverbnoun
- humoring-ing formverbnoun