Humor
/ˈhjuːmər/
nounverbB1
Definition
Humor as a noun means the ability to see or express things in a funny way that makes people smile or laugh. It can be jokes, funny stories, or a person's way of being amusing. As a verb, to humor someone means to go along with their wishes or ideas, even if you do not really agree, usually to keep peace or make them happy.
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See It in Action
The quality or ability to be funny or amusing
- •Her humor made the party very enjoyable.
- •He has a great sense of humor and always tells funny stories.
- •The movie's humor was simple and easy to understand.
To humor (verb): to agree with or please someone by doing what they want
- •She humored her friend’s strange idea to avoid an argument.
- •Sometimes you have to humor your parents even if you don’t agree.
- •He humored the child by listening carefully to their story.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "humor" like "fun" (A1 word), but more about making people laugh or smile with words or actions.
- ✓Picture a clown or a comedian telling jokes that make an audience laugh.
- ✓It's the feeling when you hear a funny story and you smile or laugh inside.
- ✓Sounds like "YOU-mur" → imagine someone saying "You, more funny!" to remind you it is about being funny.
- ✓Think of a time when you told a joke to make your friends laugh or when you smiled at a funny movie.
- ✓NOT like "serious" (which is calm and not funny), humor brings light and fun.
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "argue" or "disagree," but "humor" means you agree or do what someone wants, even if you don’t fully agree.
- ✓NOT like "laugh" (which is a reaction), humor is the cause or the quality that makes people laugh.
- ✓Humor can be gentle and kind, or sometimes a little teasing but still friendly.
Try Other Words
- •Comedy: funny entertainment (Use when talking about shows or movies that are funny)
- •Joke: a short funny story or sentence (Use when referring to a specific funny thing someone says)
- •Amuse: to make someone smile or laugh (Use when focusing on causing laughter or enjoyment)
- •Please: to make someone happy (Use when "humor" is used as a verb meaning to agree or satisfy someone)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: Root "humor" comes from Latin "umor" meaning fluid or liquid (long ago, it related to bodily fluids thought to affect mood)
- •Etymology: From Latin "humor" meaning moisture or fluid, later meaning mood or temperament, now meaning funny or amusing quality
- •Historical development: In old times, "humor" related to mood or feelings; from the 17th century, it began to mean something funny or amusing
- •Modern usage: Used to talk about jokes, funny qualities, and also as a verb meaning to go along with someone’s wishes to keep peace
Reflect & Connect
•How does humor help people feel better during difficult times?
•Can you think of a time when you humored someone even though you didn’t agree? How did it feel?
Fill in the blanks
1.People enjoy humor because it makes them ___ and forget worries for a while.
2.To humor someone means to do or say things to keep them ___, even if you don’t agree.
3.Unlike being serious, humor brings ___ and light feelings to a situation.
4.When you tell a joke, you use humor to ___ people.
5.She humored her friend’s idea to avoid ___ between them.
6.Good humor often ___ with kindness, not with meanness.
7.The movie’s humor was ___ and easy to understand for all ages.