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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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See Examples For:

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

He said this was "gallows humour" echoing the government's own pandemic slogan of the time - but acknowledged this was "inappropriate, even in a private exchange".

From BBC Nov. 8, 2023

There was a hint of a smile, quickly followed by gallows humour.

From BBC Nov. 13, 2020

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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