Jocose
What it means
Playful in manner and fond of joking.
Reach for it when using a rare formal word for lighthearted humorous speech
His jocose greeting set a friendly tone for the workshop.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
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playful
jokey
Fits when informal language should describe a joking tone
Careful Jokey can sound dismissive and less kind.
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everyday
Fits when light fun is the natural broad quality
Careful Playful can describe action, design, or animals without any verbal humor.
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warm
Fits when cleverness of expression deserves praise
Careful Witty requires verbal ingenuity that jocose joking may lack.
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professional
facetious
Fits when humor treats a serious matter with deliberate levity
Careful Facetious is often critical and implies inappropriateness.
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formal
Fits when habitual joking or a joking tone is meant
Careful Jocular is more familiar but can imply hearty performance rather than light play.
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literary
Fits when visible glad amusement suits elevated prose
Careful Mirthful concerns mood more than a tendency to joke.
Opposites 3
- solemn
- humorless
- grave
Common phrases 3
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jocose manner
His jocose manner softened once the discussion turned personal.
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jocose remark
A jocose remark rescued the pause without targeting anyone.
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jocose tone
The letter's jocose tone suited old friends, not the formal complaint.
Word family 3
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Jocose is rare. Playful, witty, or jocular will be clearer for most readers.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated