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humor

humor

15 2.1
A temporary mood or feeling
  • noun
  • /ˈhjuːmər/
  • US
: humor
  • And my humour hasn't really altered from when I was a kid.
  • in a good humor

When understanding comes, when joy comes, when humor comes, I laugh.

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Examples

  • Maybe this will put you in a better humor.

  • When understanding comes, when joy comes, when humor comes, I laugh.

  • I do not have a sense of humor in the morning.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • You know the chief does not have a sense of humor.

  • A man of faith and courage, of spirit and humor.

  • Wherever individuals lose their sense of humor, it reveals where they are attached.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Nashe had put her in a good humor, something he always seemed able to do.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Everyone was happy and in good humor, probably all except for Zora.

    Academic text (1990)
  • "Ah well, then," O'Neil said cheerfully, his good humor apparently returned.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • After a long day, he was finally in a good humor as he enjoyed the dinner with friends.

Synonyms

mood
vshumor
820 1.0

A temporary feeling that affects how someone acts

is used especially in fixed phrases about being in a good or bad frame
good humor
vshumor
20 1.7

A cheerful, pleasant mood that makes people feel relaxed

is the neutral term for state of mind used in many idioms
temper
vshumor
19 4.1

A person's usual or temporary mood that affects how they act

is mainly used in set phrases to describe short affective states
ill humor
vshumor
2 6.8

A bad mood when someone is angry or easily annoyed

is the general term covering both positive and negative states

Compounds

312 3.1

To see and enjoy what is funny and sometimes make others laugh

20 1.7

A cheerful, pleasant mood that makes people feel relaxed

5 5.3

Jokes said in a serious, calm voice so they sound like real statements

4 6.5

Jokes about serious or sad topics that make people laugh

Jokes about very serious or sad events that help people cope

vitreous humor
  • Specialized
2 7.3

A clear jelly that fills the space between the lens and the back of the eye

2 6.8

A bad mood when someone is angry or easily annoyed

1 4.9

Funny jokes or actions that are unusual and a little strange

aqueous humor
  • Specialized
1 6.6

A clear watery fluid between the eye's front and lens that keeps eye shape and feeds the cornea

locker room humor
  • Offensive
1 8.4

Rude jokes about sex that people say privately, often among men

off-color humor
  • Offensive
1 9.0

Jokes that are rude or offensive

Funny events or lines that make no sense to surprise and amuse

Funny situations that are strange and do not follow normal logic

1 7.9

Harsh, honest jokes that hurt or shock people

1 8.2

A way of being funny that is strange and silly

A playful, slightly odd way of making jokes that surprises people

9.9

A bold, playful way of joking that is loud and cheeky

non-U humor
  • Archaic
9.8

A style of comedy that people see as middle-class or working-class and less formal

How Cheerful

joy
815 1.0
cheerfulness
4 1.0
humor
  • US
15 2.1
sadness
228 1.0

Surface Forms

humor singular
humors plural
humours plural
humour singular

Etymology

Humor meaning 'mood' comes from an old word for body 'moisture' or 'liquid' because people once believed these liquids changed how you felt. That's why being 'in a bad humor' means being in a bad mood.