jocular
Americanadjective
adjective
-
characterized by joking and good humour
-
meant lightly or humorously; facetious
Related Words
See jovial.
Other Word Forms
- jocularity noun
- jocularly adverb
- overjocular adjective
- overjocularly adverb
- semijocular adjective
- semijocularly adverb
Etymology
Origin of jocular
First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin joculāris, equivalent to jocul(us) “little joke” ( joc(us) joke + -ulus -ule ) + -āris -ar 1
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.
In all the time I have spoken with Theo—every time he’s been jocular, or dry, or self-deprecating, or sincere—he’s never, ever had this kind of sharpness.
From Literature
Conan O’Brien is a jocular, wise-cracky host who will likely eschew controversy but he may not be able to resist taking a jab at the messy battle for the studio, which saw Netflix fold.
From Los Angeles Times
Mr. Karlborg’s frequently jocular class commentary landed well with his audience.
He’s a jocular talker who will frequently tap your arm or squeeze your shoulder for emphasis.
The incomprehensibility of it all, of every awful thing wreaking havoc at once, has Gus in a state of jocular shock.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
