humorously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "humorously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or statement that is done in a funny or amusing manner. Example: "She humorously recounted the story of her embarrassing moment at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He does it humorously, but behind the humor are all sorts of superstitions and beliefs".

The New Yorker

The film humorously depicts the developing relationship between apparent opposites who somehow overcome the obstacles between them.

The Guardian - Film

Here are a few other things we learned: After one Reddit user posted a link to a podcast claiming that Tracy had smoked PCP, Morgan vehemently (and humorously) shot down the rumor: I used to buy my own weed, and it wasn't laced with PCP.

The Guardian - Tech

Related: McDonald's embraces kale and tests taste for leafy green in breakfast bowl He also humorously lifts the lid on hygiene standards in the restaurant where he worked.

The Guardian - Business

Hytner humorously summed up the differences between them: "When he goes on holiday, Rufus sleeps on the floor; I go to expensive hotels".

The Guardian

Characters involved in a humorously complicated set of relationships suddenly break into snippets from French songs of the past 70 years.

The Economist

I wouldn't take even the humorously rhetorical step of saying "the Obama administration seems equally caught in the past" based on this little anecdote of Mr Kristof's dud Arabic teacher.

The Economist

Indeed Rex Tillerson, the firm's chief executive, once humorously referred to biofuels as "moonshine".

The Economist

IN 1882 W.S. Gilbert wrote, to a tune by Sir Arthur Sullivan, a ditty that went "I often think it's comical how Nature always does contrive/that every boy and every gal that's born into the world alive/is either a little Liberal or else a little Conservative .In the 19th century, that view, though humorously intended, would not have been out of place among respectable thinkers.

The Economist

He is said to have insisted staff wear a tie in his presence, demanded tea from a mug inscribed with "Secretary of State for International Development" when he occupied that role, and even (probably humorously) described himself as the "Big Swinging Dick" of his party.

The Economist

Humorously condescending and emotion-averse, he is a psychiatrist who is hard of hearing and fond of secrets ("I'm not very gracious in responding to performances of emotion," he admits).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "humorously" to describe actions or statements intended to be funny or amusing. It adds a touch of sophistication to your writing compared to simpler alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "humorously" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. In such contexts, consider more neutral descriptors like "ironically" or "satirically" if the intent is not purely for amusement.

Linguistic Context

The word "humorously" functions primarily as an adverb, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that an action is carried out in a funny or amusing way. Ludwig confirms its standard grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "humorously" is a grammatically sound adverb widely used to describe actions or statements done in a funny or amusing manner, as validated by Ludwig. It is commonly found in journalistic and encyclopedic texts, suggesting a neutral to slightly informal register. While versatile, it is important to consider the overall tone of your writing when choosing "humorously", especially in formal settings. Consider using related terms like "comically" or "wittily" for variety and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a humorous way

Replaces the adverb with a prepositional phrase, offering a more descriptive approach.

in a funny manner

A straightforward and easily understood alternative.

comically

A single-word synonym, emphasizing the comedic aspect.

jokingly

Highlights the playful or teasing nature of the action.

wittily

Suggests cleverness and intelligence in the humor.

amusingly

Highlights the quality of being entertaining or funny.

facetiously

Implies a lighthearted or inappropriate attempt at humor.

lightheartedly

Focuses on the cheerful and carefree aspect of the action.

with humor

A slightly more formal way of expressing the same idea.

with a touch of humor

Adds a nuance of subtlety to the humorous action.

FAQs

How can I use "humorously" in a sentence?

"Humorously" is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. For example, "He "humorously recounted" the events of the evening" or "The situation, while serious, was also "humorously absurd"".

What are some alternatives to "humorously"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "comically", "jokingly", "wittily", or "amusingly".

Is it appropriate to use "humorously" in formal writing?

While "humorously" is generally acceptable, consider the specific tone of your formal writing. In some cases, a more neutral term like "ironically" or "satirically" may be more appropriate, especially if the humor is subtle or critical.

What's the difference between "humorously" and "sarcastically"?

"Humorously" implies an intent to amuse or entertain, while "sarcastically" suggests a sharp, often mocking, form of humor. Sarcasm often involves saying the opposite of what you mean, whereas something done "humorously" is simply intended to be funny. For example, one might "humorously imitate" someone's walk or "sarcastically remark" about the weather.