humorist
Americannoun
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a person who is skillful in the use of humor, as in writing, talking, or acting.
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a person with an active sense of humor.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of humorist
First recorded in 1580–1590; from French humoriste “capricious person,” equivalent to humour (from English ) + -iste noun suffix; see origin at humor ( def. ), -ist; compare Italian (h)umorista “capricious, subject to humors”
Explanation
A humorist is a writer or speaker who tells stories about funny situations or experiences. Mark Twain was a famous American humorist. Being a humorist has a little in common with being a comedian, but they're not exactly the same. A humorist is a serious writer (or speaker) who uses humor to make a point or help readers see what's funny about specific situations or life in general. Comedians, on the other hand, are performers who tell jokes that are meant to make you burst out laughing immediately.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At 94, author and humorist Judith Viorst remains as feistily funny—and honest—as ever.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025
American humorist Will Rogers once remarked that we are living in a time where people are taking the comedians seriously and the politicians are a joke.
From Salon • Oct. 17, 2025
In the wake of Kimmel’s suspension it is hard to imagine any mass market humorist poking fun with abandon that biting satire demands.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2025
The actor and humorist Nick Offerman will appear on Thursday’s “Daily Show.”
From New York Times • May 16, 2024
It had to do with the death of Josh Billings, the great humorist.
From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
