Humorous vs. Funny: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 7, 2023
Humorous often implies a more gentle, subtle wit; Funny typically elicits laughter and amusement.
Key Differences
Humorous is a term that generally describes something that has the quality of humor, often a more refined or subtle kind. Funny, on the other hand, directly refers to something that causes laughter or amusement, often more immediately or overtly.
A humorous remark might make one smile or think due to its cleverness or wit. A funny joke, however, often evokes spontaneous laughter.
One might consider a witty play on words or a clever observation as humorous. In contrast, slapstick comedy or a hilarious mishap might be labeled as outright funny.
It's important to understand that both humorous and funny can describe things that make people laugh, but humorous often carries an undertone of intelligence or wit, while funny is more broad-ranging and can be used to describe anything that causes laughter.
Humorous can sometimes be used to describe a consistent quality in a person or piece of work, suggesting a tendency to view things in a lighthearted way. Funny, meanwhile, is often more momentary or situational, describing specific incidents or remarks that elicit laughter.
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Comparison Chart
Nature of Humor
Subtle, clever, witty
Direct, often immediate
Reaction Evoked
Might cause a smile or thoughtful amusement
Typically causes outright laughter
Use in Literature/Film
Describes works with consistent light-hearted or witty elements
Describes moments or scenes of comedy
Associated Adverb
Humorously
Funnily
Degree of Intellectuality
Often implies a degree of wit or intellect
Can be intellectual or just amusing
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Humorous and Funny Definitions
Humorous
Light-hearted or jocular in nature.
His humorous anecdotes always brightened up the room.
Funny
Pertaining to fun or entertainment.
We had a funny day at the amusement park.
Humorous
Pertaining to or characteristic of humor.
The speech had a humorous tone that kept the audience engaged.
Funny
Expressing humor, comically.
She has a funny way of telling stories.
Humorous
Displaying wit or a clever observation.
Her humorous take on modern art was refreshing.
Funny
Invoking humor in an immediate sense.
That joke he just told was really funny.
Humorous
Full of or characterized by humor; funny
A humorous story.
Funny
Causing laughter or amusement
A funny cartoon.
Humorous
Employing or showing humor; witty
A humorous writer.
Funny
Making or given to making amusing jokes or witticisms
A colleague who is very funny.
Humorous
(Archaic) Given to moods or whims; capricious.
Funny
Appropriate as the subject of a joke; deserving of a joke. Used in negative sentences to express disapproval or to emphasize the seriousness of something
There is nothing funny about getting the flu.
Humorous
(Obsolete) Damp; moist.
Funny
Difficult to account for; unusual or odd
I had a funny feeling that she would call.
Humorous
Full of humor or arousing laughter; funny.
The waiters were so humorous - one even did a backflip for us, when we asked him.
Funny
Suspiciously odd
It's funny how I seem to lose something every time he comes around.
Humorous
Showing humor; witty, jocular.
Funny
Counterfeit or fraudulent
Tried to pass off funny money as legitimate.
Humorous
(obsolete) Damp or watery.
Funny
(Informal) Somewhat ill, painful, or abnormal
I felt funny after eating those clams. "a mole on his arm that has started to go funny" (Ann Cummins).
Humorous
(obsolete) Dependent on or caused by one's humour or mood; capricious, whimsical.
Funny
Offensively forward or disrespectful
She told him off after he started to get funny.
Humorous
Moist; humid; watery.
All founts wells, all deeps humorous.
Funny
Contrary to one's demands or expectations
Don't let the prisoners do anything funny.
Humorous
Subject to be governed by humor or caprice; irregular; capricious; whimsical.
Rough as a storm and humorous as the wind.
Funny
A joke; a witticism
"He laughed because he did not know I was not making a funny" (Jonathan Safran Foer).
Humorous
Full of humor; jocular; exciting laughter; playful; as, a humorous story or author; a humorous aspect.
Funny
Comic strips.
Humorous
Full of or characterized by humor;
Humorous stories
Humorous cartoons
In a humorous vein
Funny
The section of a newspaper containing comic strips.
Humorous
Causing amusement in a subtle way.
The author's humorous depiction of the character was quite endearing.
Funny
Amusing; humorous; comical.
When I went to the circus, I only found the clowns funny.
Humorous
Playfully comic or making gentle fun.
The cartoon was humorous without being offensive.
Funny
Strange or unusual, often implying unpleasant.
The milk smelt funny so I poured it away.
I've got a funny feeling that this isn't going to work.
Funny
Showing unexpected resentment.
Funny
Homosexual; gay
Funny
(informal) A joke.
Funny
(informal) A comic strip.
Funny
(rowing) A rowboat with both ends pointed and out of the water.
Funny
(British) A narrow clinker-built boat for sculling.
Funny
(nonstandard) In an unusual manner; strangely.
Funny
In a manner seen as being typical of a homosexual, or indicating homosexuality
Funny
Droll; comical; amusing; laughable; inciting laughter.
Funny
A clinkerbuit, narrow boat for sculling.
Funny
Arousing or provoking laughter;
An amusing film with a steady stream of pranks and pratfalls
An amusing fellow
A comic hat
A comical look of surprise
Funny stories that made everybody laugh
A very funny writer
It would have been laughable if it hadn't hurt so much
A mirthful experience
Risible courtroom antics
Funny
Beyond or deviating from the usual or expected;
A curious hybrid accent
Her speech has a funny twang
They have some funny ideas about war
Had an odd name
The peculiar aromatic odor of cloves
Something definitely queer about this town
What a rum fellow
Singular behavior
Funny
Not as expected;
There was something fishy about the accident
Up to some funny business
Some definitely queer goings-on
A shady deal
Her motives were suspect
Suspicious behavior
Funny
Experiencing odd bodily sensations;
Told the doctor about the funny sensations in her chest
Funny
In a strange manner;
A queerly inscribed sheet of paper
He acted kind of funny
Funny
In a comical manner;
She acted comically
Funny
Causing laughter or amusement.
The comedian was incredibly funny and had everyone in stitches.
Funny
Odd, unusual, or out of the ordinary.
There's something funny about the way he's acting today.
FAQs
Can "humorous" have a negative connotation?
It can in contexts where humor might be deemed inappropriate.
Is "humorous" always associated with laughter?
Not always. It can be witty or entertaining without necessarily causing laughter.
How can you use "humorous" in a sentence?
"The author's humorous take on politics made the book enjoyable."
Can "funny" be used as a noun?
Not typically. But "funny" can refer to a joke or comic as in "read me a funny."
What is the origin of the word "Humorous"?
"Humorous" comes from the Latin word "humor", meaning "moisture" or "liquid", later relating to the body's humors and moods.
Are there synonyms for "humorous"?
Yes, including "witty", "amusing", and "comical".
What is the origin of "funny"?
"Funny" is derived from "fun", which originally meant "to cheat or hoax".
Is "funny" always positive?
No, it can be used negatively, e.g., "There's a funny smell here."
Does "humorous" mean the same as "funny"?
While both relate to causing amusement, "humorous" often suggests a subtler, more intellectual form of comedy.
What part of speech is "humorous"?
"Humorous" is an adjective.
Can "humorous" describe a situation?
Yes, e.g., "It was a humorous misunderstanding."
What's the difference between "funny" and "humorous"?
While they overlap, "funny" is more general and can also imply strangeness or peculiarity.
Is there a noun form of "humorous"?
Yes, the noun form is "humor".
Is "humorous" subjective or objective?
Subjective, as what is humorous to one person might not be to another.
How can you use "funny" in a sentence?
"She told a funny story at the party."
Is humor universal, or can what's "funny" vary culturally?
Humor can vary widely based on cultural, personal, and situational factors.
Can "funny" describe an odd situation?
Yes, e.g., "It's funny how things turned out."
Is there an adverb form of "funny"?
Yes, it's "funnily".
Can "funny" describe a feeling?
Yes, e.g., "My stomach feels funny."
Are comedians always funny?
Humor is subjective, so what one person finds funny, another might not.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
