different between humorous vs playful

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

Alternative forms

• playfull (archaic)

Etymology

From Middle English pleiful, equivalent to play +? -ful.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?ple?f?l/
• Rhymes: -e?f?l, -e?f?l
• Rhymes: -e?f?l

Adjective

playful (comparative playfuller or more playful, superlative playfullest or most playful)

1. liking play, prone to play frequently, such as a child or kitten; rather sportive.

   Actually, we are pretty playful in our romantic life.

2. funny, humorous, jesting, frolicsome.
3. fun, recreational, not serious.

   A brainteaser is a playful puzzle posed as a test of intelligence.

4. experimental.

   He was a rather playful artist.

Derived terms

• playfully
• playfulness

Translations