utterly devoid of humor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly devoid of humor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something, such as a piece of writing or a person's demeanor, that lacks any trace of humor or amusement. Example: "The movie was so serious that it felt utterly devoid of humor, leaving the audience in silence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Film

It was quiet, utterly devoid of torment.

The New York Times

This is a statement utterly devoid of content.

The Economist

It was a wedding utterly devoid of any political importance.

The New York Times

Worse still, it's utterly devoid of fun.

The Guardian - Tech

It is a heavy tome, utterly devoid of insight, warmth, wisdom or likeability.

Independent

It's just a clump of words that are, individually and collectively, utterly devoid of meaning.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Snapchat describes Mr Brown's claims as "frivolous" and "utterly devoid of merit".

Independent

"It is utterly devoid of idealism and almost poverty stricken as to any real ideas".

The New Yorker

As a result, "The Captain" is utterly devoid of history, ideology, and context.

The New Yorker

Full of ideas and full of will, she is fearless and utterly devoid of self-pity.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly devoid of humor" to describe situations, texts, or performances that completely lack comedic elements or amusement. This phrase adds emphasis to the absence of humor.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly devoid of humor" in casual or informal settings. The phrase's intensity and formality may be too strong for light-hearted conversation; less emphatic alternatives might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly devoid of humor" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a complete absence of humor in that noun's characteristics. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly devoid of humor" is a grammatically sound and impactful way to describe something that completely lacks comedic elements. Although Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context, as its formality may not always be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "completely lacking in humor" or "entirely humorless" for varied contexts. While this phrase may not be frequently encountered, its precise meaning and descriptive power make it a valuable tool for expressing the total absence of humor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely lacking in humor

Uses "completely lacking" for emphasis, maintaining a similar level of intensity.

entirely humorless

Replaces "devoid" with "humorless", offering a direct synonym while keeping the intensity.

lacking any sense of humor

Focuses on the absence of a "sense of humor", highlighting the inability to appreciate jokes or funny situations.

without a trace of humor

Emphasizes the complete absence of even a small amount of humor.

not at all humorous

A more straightforward way of saying that something is not funny, reducing the formality.

seriously unfunny

Highlights that something is not just lacking humor but is seriously not funny.

bereft of any amusement

Uses "bereft" for a more formal tone, focusing on the lack of amusement.

grim and humorless

Describes the situation as serious and devoid of humor. Implies gravity.

devoid of levity

Replaces "humor" with "levity", emphasizing the absence of lightheartedness.

starkly unfunny

Emphasizes the absolute lack of humor, indicating a stark and serious tone.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly devoid of humor" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly devoid of humor" to describe something lacking any humor, such as "The movie was so serious that it felt "utterly devoid of humor", leaving the audience in silence".

What are some alternatives to "utterly devoid of humor"?

Alternatives include "completely lacking in humor", "entirely humorless", or "lacking any sense of humor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "totally devoid of humor" instead of "utterly devoid of humor"?

Yes, "totally devoid of humor" is also correct and conveys a similar meaning. "Totally devoid of humor" may sound slightly less formal than "utterly devoid of humor".

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

"Devoid of humor" implies a complete absence, whereas "lacking in humor" suggests a deficiency but not necessarily a total absence. Thus, ""utterly devoid of humor"" intensifies the sense of complete absence even further.