jocular
Americanadjective
adjective
-
characterized by joking and good humour
-
meant lightly or humorously; facetious
Synonym Usage
See jovial.
Other Word Forms
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
Explanation
Do you like to make a lot of jokes? Are you often silly? Are you usually happy? If so, then you are a jocular person. Being jocular has to do with being both jokey and fun. A jocular suggestion is not a serious suggestion — it's a joke. Some people are more jocular than others: anyone who is ultra-serious and always frowning is not jocular. A comedian makes a job of being jocular. Class clowns can't stop being jocular, though the teacher might not always like it. Being jocular is usually considered a good thing: it's not just about making a lot of jokes; it's about being happy and pleasant to be around.
Vocabulary lists containing jocular
Grade 9, List 4
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "J," "K," and "L"
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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.
Jocular but always affable, Salinas could shift from comedy to drama with ease.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2021
Jocular but always affable, Salinas could go from comedy to drama with ease.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 10, 2021
Jocular were the promises Eddie Cantor sang into his microphone six years ago.
From Time Magazine Archive
By culling the Journal of Irreproducible Results and the Journal of Jocular Physics as well as more sober publications, R.L.
From Time Magazine Archive
All its lots were sold, and, of course, there was no further need for the services of Jocular Jimson Jones.
From The Booming of Acre Hill And Other Reminiscences of Urban and Suburban Life by Bangs, John Kendrick
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.
