facetious

[ fuh-see-shuhs ]

adjective

1. not meant to be taken seriously or literally:

   a facetious remark.

2. amusing; humorous.
3. lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous:

   a facetious person.

facetious

/ fəˈsiːʃəs /

adjective

1. characterized by levity of attitude and love of joking

   a facetious person

2. jocular or amusing, esp at inappropriate times

   facetious remarks

Usage Note

A term labeled Facetious in this dictionary is one that is used consciously for humorous or playful effect.

Derived Forms

• faˈcetiously, adverb
• faˈcetiousness, noun

Other Words From

• fa·cetious·ly adverb
• fa·cetious·ness noun
• nonfa·cetious adjective
• nonfa·cetious·ly adverb
• nonfa·cetious·ness noun
• unfa·cetious adjective
• unfa·cetious·ly adverb
• unfa·cetious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of facetious¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Middle French facecieux, facetieux, from facetie “a jest,” from Latin facētia “a jest, witticism” ( facetiae ) + -ious

Word History and Origins

Origin of facetious¹

C16: from Old French facetieux, from facetie witty saying; see facetiae

Synonym Study

See humorous ¹.

Example Sentences

This is not by any means a facetious question: Do you think alcohol should also be made illegal?

From The Daily Beast

In recent weeks, McHale has used The Soup to promote Community—with facetious knowingness, of course.

From The Daily Beast

At the club, they were far too facetious; even Randulf rallied him in a disagreeable manner.

From Project Gutenberg

The late Bishop used to make a rather facetious remark about this tomb.

From Project Gutenberg

You leave me to starve, for all you care; and you grow mighty facetious because I earn my bread.

From Project Gutenberg

One facetious sportsman had once made a rule of setting the senior day-room chimney on fire every term.

From Project Gutenberg

The manager was facetious—said he was "too thin for the theatre."

From Project Gutenberg