humorous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "humorous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is funny or intended to make people laugh. Example: "The comedian's performance was so humorous that the audience couldn't stop laughing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile, if you want another humorous catch-up of the whole thing, check out College Humor's ultimate recap.

The Guardian

I think there might have been the odd humorous comment over the porridge about supposing he had some work to do next week".

The Guardian

Disingenuous!" He was then president of the party during the Ashdown years, and his unstinting efforts on the rubber chicken circuit gave a peculiarly Kennedy-esque spirit to the party that was especially his – gentle, civilised, humorous; nobody's poodles, but not Rottweilers either, as he put it.

The Guardian - Opinion

But there were also humorous rhymes and couplets, many by authors like Thomas Hood, Charles H Ross and Ernest Warren, all well known journalists, writers and poets.

The Guardian

Many pages are devoted to grim and humorous accounts of the deteriorating physical and moral situation, brought about by the vulgar Prussians invading Reck's beloved Bavaria.

The Guardian - Books

Since 2010 his videos have been compilations of funny and viral internet videos accompanied by his humorous and explicit comments.

The Guardian

This is a book that deals with homophobia, sexual awakening, bullying, isolation and love in a sometimes disturbing yet beautiful and humorous way.

The Guardian

It paints a very vivid, very human scene in a few deft strokes, and is humorous, too".

The Guardian - Travel

They can be witty, humorous, romantic, dramatic, adventurous (enough characteristics) and anything else you would want.

The Guardian

But although Loach's films contain humour, they are hardly humorous.

The Guardian - Film

It is an attempt at a humorous cover up to disguise a huge disappointment in her life.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "humorous" to describe something intentionally funny, especially in formal writing. For casual conversation, "funny" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "humorous" in casual conversations where simpler words like "funny" or "amusing" sound more natural. "Humorous" often implies a deliberate attempt at humor, which might not always be the case.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "humorous" primarily functions as a descriptive term, characterizing something as full of humor or likely to provoke laughter. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable term in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "humorous" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes something as funny or intended to cause laughter. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While versatile, it's most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. For a more casual tone, consider "funny" or "amusing". As one of the most frequently used alternatives is "funny".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

funny

A more common and general term for something that causes laughter.

amusing

Suggests a gentle and pleasant form of humor.

witty

Implies clever and sharp humor.

comical

Describes something that is deliberately intended to be funny.

jocular

Refers to a playful and lighthearted manner.

droll

Suggests an odd or dry sense of humor.

laughable

Describes something so ridiculous it provokes laughter.

hilarious

Indicates extreme amusement and laughter.

uproarious

Describes something that causes uncontrolled laughter.

side-splitting

Suggests humor that is extremely funny.

FAQs

How can I use "humorous" in a sentence?

You can use "humorous" to describe something full of humor or arousing laughter, for example: "The play was a "humorous" take on contemporary life".

What's the difference between "humorous" and "funny"?

"Humorous" often implies a deliberate attempt at humor, while "funny" is a more general term for something that causes laughter. "Humorous" can be used in more formal contexts, while "funny" is suitable for everyday conversation.

Which is correct, "humorous" or "humourous"?

"Humorous" is the standard spelling in American English. "Humourous" is an alternative spelling but less common.

What can I say instead of "humorous"?

You can use alternatives like "funny", "amusing", or "witty" depending on the context.