What is humorous? Pronunciation and usage in English

humorous means . Learn how to pronounce and use humorous through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of humorous

humorousadjective

/ˈhjuːm(ə)rəs/
Definition & pronunciation of humorous

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "humorous" in English. It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "humorous" is divided into three syllables:

  • hum
  • or
  • ous

2. Pronunciation Breakdown:

  • hum: Pronounced like the sound you make when you're quietly vibrating your vocal cords. It's a short, throaty "huh" sound. Think of a gentle, internal vibration.
  • or: Pronounced as in "more" or "door." It's a clear, short "or" sound.
  • ous: This is the tricky part! It's pronounced like "us" (as in "bus") but with a slightly more drawn-out, softer sound. It's almost like you're saying "uh-us."

3. Putting it Together:

Say it slowly at first: "Huh-or-us"

Then, speed it up a little: "Hoo-or-us" (the "h" is very quick and almost silent)

4. A helpful tip:

Try to link the syllables together smoothly. It shouldn't feel choppy.

Resources for Hearing it:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly for you?
  • Give you some similar-sounding words to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word humorous in English

Let's break down how to use the word "humorous" effectively in English. It's a versatile word, but it's important to use it correctly to convey the intended meaning.

1. Basic Definition:

  • Humorous means causing laughter or amusement; funny. It describes something that is enjoyable and entertaining due to its humor.

2. How to Use It – Different Contexts:

  • Describing a Person:

    • "He's a very humorous storyteller." (He tells funny stories.)
    • "She has a humorous personality – always cracking jokes." (She’s funny.)
    • "The comedian was incredibly humorous." (The comedian told funny jokes and was entertaining.)

  • Describing a Situation/Event:

    • "The play was surprisingly humorous." (The play was funny.)
    • "Their argument ended with a humorous misunderstanding." (The argument became funny due to a misunderstanding.)
    • "It’s humorous to see how much attention they get." (It's funny to observe their behavior.)

  • Describing a Style/Tone:

    • "The book has a humorous style." (The writing is using humor.)
    • "He delivered the news in a humorous way." (He made the serious news seem lighter and funnier.)
    • "The speech was full of humorous anecdotes." (The speech included funny stories.)

  • As an Adjective Modifying a Noun:

    • "A humorous picture" (A funny picture)
    • "A humorous anecdote” (A funny story)
    • "A humorous situation” (A funny situation)

3. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

Using synonyms can prevent repetition and add nuance to your writing:

  • Funny: Most common and often interchangeable.
  • Amusing: Suggests gentle amusement.
  • Comic: Relating to comedy or comic strips.
  • Witty: Suggests clever and amusing humor.
  • Jocular: Cheerful and playful in humor.
  • Comical: Suggests something silly or ridiculous.

4. Important Nuances:

  • "Humorous" is generally polite: It’s a safer choice compared to words like “ridiculous” or “absurd” which can sometimes sound a bit harsh.

  • Context Matters: The specific type of humor is important. Is it slapstick, satire, dark humor, observational humor, etc.? "Humorous" on its own doesn't tell you how it's funny.

5. Examples in Sentences:

  • "The film’s humorous portrayal of everyday life made it a huge success."
  • "His humorous responses to difficult questions always made people laugh."
  • "The artist created a humorous sculpture using recycled materials."
  • “Despite the serious circumstances, there was a humorous undercurrent.” (There was underlying humor.)

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you writing about? (e.g., a story, an essay, a review)
  • What is the specific context in which you want to use the word "humorous"? (e.g., describing a character, a scene, a piece of art)?

Synonyms for the word humorous

Practice with vocabulary humorous

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Despite the serious topic of the conference, the keynote speaker's anecdotes were remarkably ________________, keeping the audience engaged and entertained.
  2. His presentation style, though informative, often lacked the ________________ banter that some found appealing in other speakers.
  3. The marketing team decided to adopt a more ________________ tone for their latest social media campaign, aiming to connect with younger audiences through laughter.
  4. Her feedback, while delivered with a smile, contained a thinly veiled ________________ undertone that made some team members uncomfortable.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following adjectives describe a person's ability to consistently make others laugh with clever observations? a) solemn b) witty c) humorous d) doleful
  2. The script for the new sitcom is expected to be particularly ________________, full of lighthearted banter and unexpected punchlines. a) dramatic b) humorous c) amusing d) tragic
  3. When describing an event or situation that is unintentionally amusing due to its absurdity, which words might apply? a) comical b) humorous c) absurd d) pathetic
  4. Which term best describes a situation where the outcome is the opposite of what was expected, often with an element of irony? a) delightful b) sarcastic c) ironic d) farcical
  5. Which words describe someone who is generally cheerful and good-humored, often bringing a lively atmosphere to social gatherings? a) jovial b) melancholic c) entertaining d) grave

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The speaker's casual remarks during the formal presentation made the audience laugh. (Rewrite using "humorous" or a related word form.)
  2. Everyone found the manager's attempt at a joke quite funny, despite it not landing perfectly. (Rewrite using "humorous" or a related word form.)
  3. The entire meeting turned into a ridiculous display when the projector repeatedly malfunctioned and showed strange patterns. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, but NOT "humorous" or a related word form.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. humorous
  2. witty
  3. humorous
  4. sarcastic

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) witty, c) humorous
  2. b) humorous, c) amusing
  3. a) comical, b) humorous, c) absurd
  4. c) ironic
  5. a) jovial, c) entertaining

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The speaker's humorous remarks during the formal presentation elicited laughter from the audience.
  2. The manager's attempt at a joke, though not landing perfectly, was widely considered humorous.
  3. The entire meeting turned into a farcical display when the projector repeatedly malfunctioned and showed strange patterns.

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