devoid of humour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of humour" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means lacking or completely lacking in humor. One example of using this phrase in a sentence could be: "The comedian's performance fell flat, leaving the audience disappointed and devoid of humor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Agatha Christie was not always entirely devoid of humour and good spirits.

The Guardian - Books

That's not to say it's hand-wringingly worthy, or devoid of humour.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The trouble is it may turn out to be run by a former minister like Samantha Willis (Nikki Amuka-Bird), a woman apparently intent on rebuilding civilisation in her own image, ie, largely devoid of humour, smart or flexible thinking.

The Guardian

And it is wholly devoid of humour, except perhaps for the meeting towards the end of Claire and Justine: the game is over and they're at a golf hole bearing a flag apocalyptically marked "19".

The Guardian - Film

Unlike Tales from the Golden Years and Under the Frog, or other grimly humorous accounts of life behind the iron curtain, The Land of Green Plums is largely, but not entirely, devoid of humour.

The Guardian - Books

Not least because the most noteworthy aspect of this breakfast show is the way Brazil intimidates and belittles his station mate Ian Abrahams (Moose) on the air each and every morning in a truly disturbing and distasteful fashion, that is totally devoid of humour".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

While "Transformers 3" was loutish in its humours, devoid of wit or subtlety, its trashing of Chicago was visually more compelling.

The Economist

It's not a bad high concept, but utterly devoid of life, humour or recognisable human beings.

The Guardian - Film

Adapting well-known TV shows for the stage is tricky at the best of times, but even more so with a show like Porridge, which is largely devoid of visual humour, and relies instead on the relationships between characters.

Independent

Michele and Agron both sport gloopy, Day-Glo make up, and the occasional manic grin doesn't stop the whole thing appearing to be devoid of both humour and imagination – even more so when compared with the clever brilliance of the show they are promoting.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Philo's works are rambling, having little sense of form; repetitious; artificially rhetorical; and almost devoid of a sense of humour.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing creative works (books, films), use "devoid of humour" to convey a serious or intense tone. For example: "The film was "devoid of humour", focusing on the stark realities of war."

Common error

Avoid confusing "devoid of humour" with implying the presence of humor. "Devoid" means completely lacking, so ensure your sentence clearly indicates an absence, not a presence, of amusement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of humour" functions as an adjective phrase that describes something lacking any element of amusement or lightheartedness. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct, and the examples show its use in describing books, films, and individuals.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Books

25%

Film

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devoid of humour" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for describing something that lacks any element of amusement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, especially in news, reviews, and descriptive writing. While alternatives like "lacking humor" or "without humor" exist, "devoid of humour" carries a stronger emphasis on the complete absence of levity. Remember to avoid misinterpreting "devoid" as 'containing'. Keep in mind the spelling variations between British ("humour") and American English ("humor").

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without a trace of humor

Emphasizes the complete absence of humor.

lacking humor

Directly states the absence of humor, simpler phrasing.

without humor

Similar to 'lacking humor' but emphasizes absence.

humorless

Describes a person or thing lacking the quality of humor.

not humorous

Describes something not possessing humor.

unfunny

More direct and informal way to say something lacks humor.

solemn

Implies a serious tone, often lacking humor.

serious

Indicates a lack of levity or humor.

entirely serious

Highlights the complete lack of humor.

grave

Suggests a very serious and somber tone.

FAQs

How can I use "devoid of humour" in a sentence?

You can use "devoid of humour" to describe something lacking any element of amusement. For example, "The meeting was entirely "devoid of humour", focusing solely on the company's financial losses."

What are some alternatives to "devoid of humour"?

Some alternatives include "lacking humor", "without humor", or "not humorous", depending on the context.

Is it "devoid of humour" or "devoid of humor"?

Both "devoid of humour" and "devoid of humor" are grammatically correct. "Humour" is the British English spelling, while "humor" is the American English spelling. Choose the spelling that aligns with your target audience.

What's the difference between "devoid of humour" and "lacking humour"?

"Devoid of humour" emphasizes a complete absence, while "lacking humour" simply means it doesn't have much. They are similar, but "devoid" is stronger.