First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1humor
noun hu·mor \ˈhyü-mər, ˈyü-\
: a funny or amusing quality
: jokes, funny stories, etc., of a particular kind
: the ability to be funny or to be amused by things that are funny
Full Definition of HUMOR
1
a : a normal functioning bodily semifluid or fluid (as the blood or lymph) b : a secretion (as a hormone) that is an excitant of activity
2
a in medieval physiology : a fluid or juice of an animal or plant; specifically : one of the four fluids entering into the constitution of the body and determining by their relative proportions a person's health and temperament b : characteristic or habitual disposition or bent : temperament <of cheerful humor> c : an often temporary state of mind imposed especially by circumstances <was in no humor to listen> d : a sudden, unpredictable, or unreasoning inclination : whim
3
a : that quality which appeals to a sense of the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous b : the mental faculty of discovering, expressing, or appreciating the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous c : something that is or is designed to be comical or amusing
— out of humor
: out of sorts
See humor defined for English-language learners
See humor defined for kids
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Origin of HUMOR
Middle English humour, from Anglo-French umor, umour, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin humor, from Latin humor, umor moisture; akin to Old Norse vǫkr damp, Latin humēre to be moist, and perhaps to Greek hygros wet
Related to HUMOR
- Synonyms
- comedy, comic, comicality, drollery, drollness, funniness, hilariousness, humorousness, richness, uproariousness
- Antonyms
- pathos
Synonym Discussion of HUMOR
wit, humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, repartee mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement. wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous <a playful wit>. humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness <a sense of humor>. irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed <the irony of the title>. sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound <given to heartless sarcasm>. satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature <a satire on the Congress>. repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily <a dinner guest noted for repartee>.
2humor
verb
: to try to please or satisfy (someone) by doing what is wanted
hu·moredhu·mor·ing \ˈhyüm-riŋ, ˈyüm-, ˈhyü-mə-, ˈyü-\
Full Definition of HUMOR
transitive verb
1
: to soothe or content by indulgence
2
: to adapt oneself to
See humor defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HUMOR
1588
Related to HUMOR
- Synonyms
- cater (to), gratify, indulge
Synonym Discussion of HUMOR
indulge, pamper, humor, spoil, baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings. indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires <indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse>. pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect <pampered by the amenities of modern living>. humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims <humored him by letting him tell the story>. spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering <foolish parents spoil their children>. baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude <babying students by grading too easily>. mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare <refused to mollycoddle her malingering son>.
HUMOR Defined for Kids
1humor
noun hu·mor \ˈhyü-mər, ˈyü-\
Definition of HUMOR for Kids
1
: the amusing quality of something <She couldn't see the humor of the situation.>
2
: the ability to see or tell the amusing quality of things
3
: state of mind : mood <… they were not in a very good humor because they had been arguing … — Robert McClosky, Homer Price>
— hu·mor·less \-ləs\ adjective
2humor
verb
hu·moredhu·mor·ing
Definition of HUMOR for Kids
: to give in to the wishes of <I humored her and listened to her ridiculous idea.>
Medical Dictionary
humor
noun hu·mor
Medical Definition of HUMOR
1
a : a normal functioning bodily semifluid or fluid (as the blood or lymph) b : a secretion (as a hormone) that is an excitant of activity
2
in ancient and medieval physiology : a fluid or juice of an animal or plant; specifically : one of the four fluids that were believed to enter into the constitution of the body and to determine by their relative proportions a person's health and temperament—see black bile, blood 3, phlegm 1, yellow bile
Variants of HUMOR
hu·mor or chiefly British hu·mour \ˈhyü-mər, ˈyü-\
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