different between inventive vs humorous

English

Etymology

From Middle English inventif, inventyfe, inventiff, inventyf, borrowed from Old French inventif, borrowed from Medieval Latin inventivus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?v?nt?v/
• Rhymes: -?nt?v

Adjective

inventive (comparative more inventive, superlative most inventive)

1. Of, or relating to invention; pertaining to the act of devising new mechanisms or processes.
   • 2013, Chris Bevan, "Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Arsenal", BBC Sport, 6 November 2013:

     At the other end, Dortmund were producing some typically inventive approach play but struggled to find a way through the visitors' defence, and were unable to find a finish when they did.

2. Possessed of a particular capacity for the design of new mechanisms or processes, creative or skilful at inventing.

3. Purposefully fictive

Derived terms

• inventively
• inventiveness

Translations

French

Adjective

inventive

1. feminine singular of inventif

Italian

Adjective

inventive

1. feminine plural of inventivo

Noun

inventive f pl

1. plural of inventiva

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