humour

American  

[hyoo-mer] / ˈhyu mər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. humor.

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humour British  

/ ˈhjuːmə /

noun

1. the quality of being funny

2. Also called: sense of humour.  the ability to appreciate or express that which is humorous

3. situations, speech, or writings that are thought to be humorous

4. 1. a state of mind; temper; mood

   2. ( in combination )

      ill humour

      good humour

5. temperament or disposition

6. a caprice or whim

7. any of various fluids in the body, esp the aqueous humour and vitreous humour

8. Also called: cardinal humour.  archaic any of the four bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, choler or yellow bile, melancholy or black bile) formerly thought to determine emotional and physical disposition

9. in a bad mood

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verb

1. to attempt to gratify; indulge

   he humoured the boy's whims

2. to adapt oneself to

   to humour someone's fantasies

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• humourlessness
  noun
• humourful
  adjective
• humourless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of humour

C14: from Latin humor liquid; related to Latin ūmēre to be wet, Old Norse vökr moist, Greek hugros wet

Example Sentences

"Humour is such an important way to relate to others," he said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2024

Humour has often been deployed by the King, who was a longstanding fan of The Goons and and took part in comedy shows at university.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2024

While the police investigation into her continued, her latest novel, The Prairie Chicken Dance Tour, was shortlisted for a Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, one of the oldest literary prizes in Canada.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2023

Humour and absurdity can often spring from unexpected and stressful places, including hospital emergency departments.

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2022

The company was presenting a play called Every Man Out of His Humour, which fit my mood exactly.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood