facetious

[fuh-see-shuh s]

See more synonyms for facetious on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark.
amusing; humorous.
lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person.

Origin of facetious

Related formsfa·ce·tious·ly, adverbfa·ce·tious·ness, nounnon·fa·ce·tious, adjectivenon·fa·ce·tious·ly, adverbnon·fa·ce·tious·ness, nounun·fa·ce·tious, adjectiveun·fa·ce·tious·ly, adverbun·fa·ce·tious·ness, noun

Can be confusedfacetious factious factitious fictional fictitious

Synonyms for facetious

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2. See humorous¹.

Usage note

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for facetiously

jokingly, amusingly, facetiously, merrily, ridiculously, absurdly, ironically, jocosely, jovially, ludicrously, playfully, satirically, jocularly

Examples from the Web for facetiously

Contemporary Examples of facetiously

Facetiously, Norquist adds, “That would raise revenue if we could get more of those 12-year-olds paying cigarette taxes.”
Grover Norquist Sees the Fiscal Cliff and Guns It
Lloyd Grove
November 17, 2012

Historical Examples of facetiously

I asked, facetiously, but I didn't feel in the least humorous.
Jane Journeys On
Ruth Comfort Mitchell
"I thought it would come to that," says Mr. Snivel, facetiously.
An Outcast
F. Colburn Adams
"To be popular with the people, is truly an honor," interrupts the lady, facetiously.
An Outcast
F. Colburn Adams
They would jerk a thumb over a shoulder after him facetiously.
Bonaventure
George Washington Cable
"Things like the March Hare, for example," suggested Paul facetiously.
Paul and the Printing Press
Sara Ware Bassett

British Dictionary definitions for facetiously

facetious

adjective

characterized by levity of attitude and love of jokinga facetious person
jocular or amusing, esp at inappropriate timesfacetious remarks

Derived Formsfacetiously, adverbfacetiousness, noun

Word Origin for facetious

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for facetiously

facetious

adj.

1590s, from French facétieux, from facétie "a joke" (15c.), from Latin facetia "jest, witticism," from facetus "witty, elegant, fine, courteous," of unknown origin, perhaps related to facis "torch."

It implies a desire to be amusing, often intrusive or ill-timed. Related: Facetiously; facetiousness. "Facetiæ in booksellers' catalogues, is, like curious, a euphemism for erotica." [Fowler]