What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
facetious
Example
He made a facetious comment about the serious issue at hand. [facetious: adjective]
Example
She couldn't tell if he was being facetious or serious. [facetious: adjective]
humorous
Example
The comedian's jokes were very humorous and had the audience laughing all night. [humorous: adjective]
Example
She has a very humorous personality and always knows how to make me laugh. [humorous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Humorous is more commonly used than facetious in everyday language. Humorous is a positive and versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while facetious is less common and has a more negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between facetious and humorous?
While humorous can be used in both formal and informal contexts, facetious is typically associated with an informal and sometimes negative tone.