Jocosity
What it means
Playful humor or a disposition toward good-natured joking.
Reach for it when naming the presence or habit of joking in an elevated register
A little jocosity kept the long ceremonial dinner from growing stiff.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| formal | |
| literary |
|
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everyday
banter
Fits when quick friendly teasing passes between people
Careful Banter requires an exchange and can become cutting.
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everyday
Fits when the broad capacity to amuse is enough
Careful Humor includes many tones and does not isolate sociable joking.
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warm
Fits when freedom from heaviness matters most
Careful Lightheartedness can be silent and need not produce any joke.
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warm
Fits when shared happiness and laughter fill the occasion
Careful Merriment is an atmosphere, not specifically witty or playful speech.
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formal
Fits when habitual joking defines a person's manner
Careful Jocularity can imply louder, more persistent behavior than mild jocosity.
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literary
drollery
Fits when odd, understated comic expression is intended
Careful Drollery is a style of humor, not general sociable cheer.
Opposites 3
- seriousness
- gloom
- austerity
Common phrases 3
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social jocosity
Social jocosity turned the delayed meal into an enjoyable evening.
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harmless jocosity
Harmless jocosity gave the farewell speech warmth without ridicule.
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moment of jocosity
A moment of jocosity released the tension before the final vote.
Word family 3
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Jocosity is rare in contemporary English and can sound self-consciously learned.
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