facetious

USAGE SUMMARY

'facetious' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective describing a person, comment, or action that is humorous and not intended to be taken seriously. Example sentence: Although her remarks may have seemed serious, they were actually quite facetious.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bauer Media, the publisher of Zoo, had previously argued that ordinary readers understood the publication's "fast and loose" nature and would recognise the article was "facetious".

The Guardian

Do not attempt facetious phonetic renditions such as "oop north", "fooking" and "booger" when interviewing someone from the north, or "dahn sarf" when writing about south London dire straits not straights disabled people not "the disabled" We aim to use positive language about disability, avoiding outdated terms that stereotype or stigmatise.

The Guardian

Contemporaries were scarcely impressed – "a facetious experiment upon public intelligence" suggested one – and even now it is hard to decide whether it is, or is not, absolutely horrid.

The Guardian - Arts

The Fool, whose riddles can become wearing, has had many lines cut and instead, stage left, tinkles out tunes as a kind of facetious commentary on a bare-fronted piano, which eerily continues to play on its own once the Fool has vanished from the play.

The Economist

This observation is not as facetious as it may seem.

The Economist

Earnest Victorians lamented the "facetious epitaphs that disfigure so many of our graveyards".

The Economist

Fashion cognoscenti will warm to a facetious song about label-worship entitled "You are what you wear," which bravely rhymes "Manolo Blahnik" with "remotely ironic".

The Economist

Does George Bush possess a disarming grin, or a facetious smirk?

The Economist

At the risk of being a bit facetious, I would say: become a Twitter follower and read my future tweets!

The Economist

A facetious observer might describe Mr Brown as the Scottish Obama or Mr Obama as "the Black Gordon".As for the idea that Britain could use more of that American drama: it is true that more town-hall meetings and debates among leaders, and open "primaries" in constituencies, would enliven elections.

The Economist

Even in a slump, he needs to start smiling again.Grace under pressureIn truth, Bagehot's question about Mr Cameron's leadership was somewhat facetious.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "facetious" to add levity to serious discussions, but be mindful of your audience and the context. Overuse can be perceived as insincere or dismissive.

Common error

Avoid using "facetious" when you intend to convey sarcasm. While both involve humor, "facetious" is generally lighter and less cutting than sarcasm, which often carries an edge of mockery or contempt.

Linguistic Context

Facetious functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe comments, behavior, or expressions characterized by lighthearted humor or a playful lack of seriousness. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showcasing its descriptive role across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Facetious is a common adjective used to describe something or someone as humorous and playfully lacking seriousness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It frequently appears in news and media sources and encyclopedias, demonstrating its versatility across different writing styles. While it can add levity, be mindful of the context to avoid misinterpretation or inappropriate use. Alternatives such as "witty", "flippant", and "jocular" can be used to adjust the tone. When aiming for lighter humor, "facetious" is a good word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tongue-in-cheek

Indicates that a statement should not be taken seriously, despite its apparent form.

flippant

Emphasizes a lack of seriousness and can sometimes imply disrespect.

witty

Focuses on cleverness and humor, but doesn't necessarily imply a lack of seriousness.

jocular

Highlights playfulness and lightheartedness.

teasing

Suggests playful mockery or light-hearted provocation.

bantering

Implies a light and playful exchange of remarks.

sarcastic

Involves the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

ironic

Uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning.

humorous

General term indicating something that is funny or amusing.

droll

Suggests an odd or whimsical sense of humor.

FAQs

How to use "facetious" in a sentence?

You can use "facetious" to describe someone's behavior or remarks when they're being humorous or playful about a serious topic. For instance, "His "facetious" comments during the meeting were inappropriate."

What can I say instead of "facetious"?

You can use alternatives like "flippant", "witty", or "jocular" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to be "facetious" in formal settings?

Generally, being "facetious" is less appropriate in formal settings where seriousness and respect are expected. It's best to reserve "facetious" remarks for more casual environments.

What's the difference between "facetious" and "sarcastic"?

"Facetious" implies a lighthearted or humorous intent, while "sarcastic" remarks often involve irony and may be used to mock or convey contempt. Sarcasm has a sharper edge than facetiousness.