different between humorous vs comical

English

Etymology

From Middle English humorous (compare Medieval Latin h?mor?sus), equivalent to humor +? -ous.

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: hyo?o'm?r?s, IPA^(key): /?hju?m???s/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?hju?m???s/
• Homophone: humerus

Adjective

humorous (comparative more humorous, superlative most humorous)

1. Full of humor or arousing laughter; funny.

   The waiters were so humorous - one even did a backflip for us, when we asked him.

2. Showing humor; witty, jocular.
3. (obsolete) Damp or watery.
4. (obsolete) Dependent on or caused by one's humour or mood; capricious, whimsical.

Usage notes

While the spelling humour is preferred over humor in British English, humorous is standard in both American and British English, and humourous is nonstandard.

Synonyms

• (arousing laughter): amusing, funny
• (witty): amusing, jocular, witty
• See also Thesaurus:funny
• See also Thesaurus:witty

Derived terms

• humorously

Related terms

• humor, humour

Translations

English

Etymology

comic +? -al

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?k?m?k?l/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?k?m?k?l/

Adjective

comical (comparative more comical, superlative most comical)

1. (archaic) Originally, relating to comedy.

2. Funny, whimsically amusing.

3. Laughable; ridiculous.
   • 2016 January 30, "Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Nomination," The New York Times (retrieved 30 January 2016):

     Mr. Sanders has scored some rhetorical points against Mrs. Clinton for her longstanding ties to Wall Street, but she has responded well, and it would be comical to watch any of the Republican candidates try to make that case, given that they are all virtually tied to, or actually part of, the business establishment.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:funny
• (comedy): comic, comedic

Derived terms

• comicality
• comically

Translations

See also

• comic

Anagrams

• Climaco