Jocular
What it means
Fond of joking or expressed in a cheerful humorous manner.
Reach for it when describing sociable humor when it eases rather than dismisses tension
Her jocular remark relaxed the room without minimizing the concern.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
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| literary |
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playful
wisecracking
Fits when frequent quick irreverent jokes define the style
Careful Wisecracking is sharper and can disrupt or wound.
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everyday
Fits when something is intended or able to amuse
Careful A humorous remark reveals nothing about a person's usual appetite for jokes.
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everyday
Fits when light fun is the main tone
Careful Playful is broader and may contain no verbal humor.
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warm
Fits when hearty social cheer matters as much as humor
Careful Jovial can exist without actual jokes.
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professional
Fits when clever verbal invention earns the praise
Careful Witty is about quality of humor, while jocular can be merely good-natured.
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formal
facetious
Fits when a serious subject is treated jokingly
Careful Facetious usually criticizes inappropriate levity.
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literary
Fits when warm friendliness rather than joke-making creates ease
Careful Genial lacks jocular's explicit humorous element.
Opposites 3
- solemn
- humorless
- sullen
Common phrases 3
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jocular mood
The jocular mood settled before the confidential item began.
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jocular remark
One jocular remark reset the room after the projector failed.
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jocular manner
His jocular manner included listening when the joke did not land.
Word family 2
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Jocular humor can be mistimed or used to avoid a serious issue. Effect matters more than the speaker's intent.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated