humor
humor — noun
1. the word 'humour' as it is spelled in American English, with no letter 'u' after
the word 'humour' as it is spelled in American English, with no letter 'u' after the 'o'
Christopher writes 'humor' without the letter u because he learned American English.
US spelling variant: humor vs humour
The editor changed every 'humour' to 'humor' for the book's US edition.
Jiwoo's essay used 'humor' correctly for her American literature class.
Both 'humour' and 'humor' appear in this dictionary under the same entry.
用法筆記
This is not a separate meaning — the entry simply uses the US spelling. British English spells the same word 'humour.'
2. the ability of a situation, story, or person to make people laugh or feel amused
the ability of a situation, story, or person to make people laugh or feel amused
The comedian's dry humor kept the audience laughing for over two hours.
collocation: dry humor / dark humor / black humor
Liam saw the humor in his little brother's failed attempt to bake a cake.
There is a gentle humor in the way Grandmother describes her childhood memories.
The cartoon's humor comes from showing mice outsmarting the household cat.
Allison's joke fell flat because it contained no humor that anyone could find.
- seriousness
the absence of any funny quality
- gravity
a solemn quality that is the opposite of humor
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — you cannot say 'a humor' or 'many humors' when referring to funny quality.
常見錯誤
3. a person's natural ability to notice, understand, and enjoy what is funny, or to
a person's natural ability to notice, understand, and enjoy what is funny, or to make others laugh
Faisal has a wonderful sense of humor and can cheer up anyone.
phrase: have a [adjective] sense of humor
A good sense of humor helps people get through difficult moments at work.
Élise's sense of humor allows her to laugh even at her own mistakes.
People with a sharp sense of humor notice funny things in everyday life.
Dario was hurt when nobody understood his particular sense of humor.
- wit
focuses on the ability to make quick, clever remarks rather than just find things funny
- seriousness
a personality trait opposite to finding things funny
文法句型
often used in the phrase 'sense of humor'
用法筆記
Nearly always used in the phrase 'sense of humor.' You can describe it as 'good,' 'dry,' 'dark,' 'wicked,' 'childish,' etc.
常見錯誤
4. the way a person's feelings shift and affect their actions or reactions from one
the way a person's feelings shift and affect their actions or reactions from one moment to the next
The old gentleman was in a generous humor after winning the chess match.
phrase: in [adjective] humor
Romi was in bad humor after missing her early flight, so her colleagues stayed out of her way.
phrase: in [adjective] humor — temporary mood
Eliska found her father in a forgiving humor after she apologized sincerely.
When in a cheerful humor, Grandfather hums old folk songs while gardening.
The teacher was in no humor to accept excuses for the missing assignment.
- mood
more common in everyday English; less formal than humor
- temper
often refers to a person's tendency to become angry
- disposition
describes a person's general, lasting character rather than a temporary state
文法句型
in [adjective] humor
in no humor to + infinitive
用法筆記
More formal or literary than 'mood.' Frequently appears in fixed phrases such as 'in good humor,' 'in bad humor,' or 'in no humor to do something.'
常見錯誤
5. in old medical beliefs, each of the substances inside a person — blood, phlegm,
in old medical beliefs, each of the substances inside a person — blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile — that were supposed to decide health and character
Ancient doctors thought an imbalance of the humors caused all kinds of illnesses.
historical: the four humors theory
Medieval texts describe four humors: blood, phlegm, and two kinds of bile.
In old medical theory, too much phlegm made a person calm and lazy.
The idea of the four humors shaped European medicine for many centuries.
Scholars now study the humors as part of the history of medical science.
用法筆記
This is a historical meaning. Outside of academic discussions of ancient or medieval medicine, the word is almost never used in this sense today. The term 'humors' in modern English usually refers back to this historical theory.
humor — verb
1. to do what someone wants or pretend to agree with them, in order to keep them ca
to do what someone wants or pretend to agree with them, in order to keep them calm, happy, or satisfied without arguing
The nurse humored the frightened child by letting her hold the teddy bear.
transitive: humor + [person]
Ignacio humored his grandmother's wish to tell the same old story yet again.
Rather than start an argument, Tanvi humored her colleague's unusual plan.
The crying toddler was humored when her father performed a silly puppet show.
Sometimes you just have to humor a tired child and let them have their way.
- indulge
stronger emphasis on giving someone what they want, often too much
- accommodate
more neutral; focuses on adjusting to someone's needs
- appease
focuses on calming someone who is angry or upset
文法句型
humor + [person]
humor + [person] + by + -ing
用法筆記
Common when someone is being unreasonable, upset, or insistent and you choose to go along with them rather than resist. Frequently used with children or elderly people.
常見錯誤
2. to change your own behavior, preferences, or habits to fit a new situation or en
to change your own behavior, preferences, or habits to fit a new situation or environment
The new manager learned to humor the company's old-fashioned and slow decision-making process.
transitive: humor + [situation/environment]
When Mert moved to the remote island, he had to humor the limited supply of fresh vegetables and meat.
The exchange students soon learned to humor their host family's very strict household rules.
Ilan quickly learned to humor the different customs and daily routines of his new country.
- resist
to fight against change rather than accepting it
文法句型
humor + [situation/environment]
用法筆記
This sense is rare in modern English and somewhat formal. The object of the verb is the situation, environment, or set of practices being adapted to. Most modern speakers would use 'adapt to' or 'adjust to' instead.