French word

humour

Pronunciation

IPA/ymuʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhumor

Example

Il a beaucoup d'humour.

He has a great sense of humor.

Illustration for humour (humor)

More examples

Son humour est souvent noir.

His humor is often dark.

Core concept

A light, unexpected twist that makes people laugh while gently exposing an idea or situation.

Common phrases

  • avoir de l'humour

    have a sense of humor

  • sens de l'humour

    sense of humor

  • humour noir

    dark humor

Similar words

blague: A brief joke or comic bit intended to make people laugh.
plaisanterie: A light joke or playful tease that helps put people at ease.
sarcasme: A sharply mocking way of speaking with a strongly cutting tone.
ironie: A remark whose literal meaning differs from the intended meaning, creating irony or humor.

Definition in French

Disposition à trouver ou à exprimer ce qui fait rire; trait d'esprit employé pour amuser, surprendre ou critiquer avec légèreté.

Word origin

French humour ultimately comes from Latin humor, "liquid", whose medieval medical sense linked bodily fluids with temperament before the word developed its modern sense of wit.

Usage tips

  • French humour is masculine, so standard expressions use avoir de l'humour and faire de l'humour.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word