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gallows humour

British  

noun

  1. sinister and ironic humour

"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

Example Sentences

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A dozen minutes from the end, there was more singing from the Scottish crowd that we can only describe as gallows humour.

From BBC Jun. 14, 2026

Some of the chat leading up to this game involved the gallows humour so close to the heart of most members of the Tartan Army.

From BBC Oct. 12, 2025

"Sri Lankans specialise in gallows humour... laughter is clearly our coping mechanism," he said.

From BBC Oct. 17, 2022

Sam is my jaded Scottish side; even though he’s English he has a very Glaswegian, gallows humour.

From The Guardian Jun. 27, 2020

But it feels like gallows humour and the songs sound mournful.

From The Guardian Mar. 15, 2020

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