humour
humour — noun
1. how amusing something is, or the ability to tell when a thing or situation is fu
how amusing something is, or the ability to tell when a thing or situation is funny — for instance, a playful remark that makes people smile or a film that keeps an audience laughing.
Adina has a dry sense of humour that makes her colleagues laugh during meetings.
collocation: dry sense of humour
The teacher's humour helped the students relax before their final exam.
Niran could not see the humour in the situation after losing his wallet.
Benjamin's sense of humour made him popular among his new classmates.
- seriousness
the opposite quality — being earnest and not seeking laughter
- gravity
formal; describes a situation so important or solemn that humour feels inappropriate
文法句型
have a sense of humour
with humour
see the humour in something
用法筆記
British spelling; the US spelling is 'humor'. This noun is uncountable — you cannot say 'a humour' to mean a funny quality. Instead use 'a sense of humour' for a person's personal style of finding things funny.
常見錯誤
2. the particular mood or emotional state a person is in at a given time, especiall
the particular mood or emotional state a person is in at a given time, especially one that affects how they interact with others.
Hassan was in excellent humour after receiving good news from his doctor.
phrase: in excellent humour
The old man was in no humour for jokes after his long journey.
Léa's good humour returned once the rain stopped and the sun came out.
Ezra was in ill humour — he slammed the door on his way into the kitchen.
- mood
more common in everyday speech; less formal than 'humour' for this sense
- temper
often implies a tendency to become angry; narrower than 'humour'
- disposition
refers to a person's general, long-term character rather than a temporary state
文法句型
in a good/no humour
in no humour for something
good humour / ill humour
用法筆記
This sense is slightly formal in modern English. In everyday conversation, 'mood' is far more common than 'humour' for this meaning. Common in written narratives and formal descriptions. The phrase 'in no humour for something' is a fixed expression meaning 'not in the mood for'.
常見錯誤
humour — verb
1. to gently go along with someone's wishes or unusual behaviour in order to keep t
to gently go along with someone's wishes or unusual behaviour in order to keep them satisfied, calm, or cooperative, rather than arguing or refusing.
Ignacio decided to humour his grandmother by eating all the soup she had made.
pattern: humour + someone + by + -ing
The nurse humoured the young boy by letting him pick his own bandage colour.
Joaquín just smiled and humoured his boss, knowing an argument would be pointless.
The babysitter humoured the toddler by reading the same story four times.
- indulge
similar meaning but can imply letting someone have luxuries or treats; 'humour' is more about avoiding conflict
- accommodate
more practical; focuses on meeting someone's needs or requests
- pacify
stronger emphasis on calming someone down, often after they are already upset
- oppose
to actively resist or argue against someone
- contradict
to state the opposite of what someone says, often creating friction
文法句型
humour + someone
humour + someone + by + -ing
用法筆記
This verb has a gentle, slightly patient tone — you humour someone not because you agree with them, but to avoid conflict or upsetting them. It is often used with children, elderly relatives, or people in emotional distress. Not used in formal or legal contexts.