Is it “humour” or “humor”?
Insofar as the noun and verb forms of humour/humor are spelled, which refers to “the quality in something that makes it funny; the ability to laugh at things that are funny”. The answer is straightforward, and it concerns regional spelling preferences:
- British English spells “humour” (with the “u”).
- American English spells “humor” (without “u”).
Note: UK English is predominant across most English speaking countries worldwide; except, of course, for the United States. By and large, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a number of Caribbean countries conform to UK English spelling rules and conventions.
Other “-our”/”-or” words
Other words that share the “-our” / “-or” suffix and follow the same spelling convention:
| UK English | US English |
| favour | favor |
| labour | labor |
| behaviour | behavior |
| honour | honor |
| neighbour | neighbor |
| humour | humor |
Other forms of humour/humor
Other verb/noun forms also conform to the same spelling rules based on US/UK English:
| Part of speech | Word |
| adverb | humorously; humourlessly |
| adjective | humourless |
Sentences with humour/humor as a noun
It was a story full of gentle humour/humor.
She ignored his feeble attempt at humour/humor.
They failed to see the humour/humor of the situation.
I can’t stand people with no sense of humour/humor.
She has her very own brand of humour/humor.
Sentences with humour/humor as a verb
She thought it best to humour/humor him rather than get into an argument.
She will actually sit and watch them with me, to humour/humor me.
I know you don’t agree, but just humour/humor me.
Synonyms of humour/humor
- funniness
- drollery
- comedy
- humorousness
- hilariousness
- drollness
- amusement
- comicality
- irony
Phrases with humour/humor
- good sense of humour
- ill humour
- gallows humour (jokes about unpleasant things like death)
- aqueous humour (the clear liquid inside the front part of the eye)
- vitreous humour (the clear substance inside the eye)
Origin of the word humor/humour
Etymonline on humour:
Mid-14c., “fluid or juice of an animal or plant,” from Old North French humour “liquid, dampness; (medical) humor; from Latin umor “body fluid”.
—Etymonline, humour.
Learn more about US English vs. UK English
Sources
- Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of humor.” Online Etymology Dictionary, Accessed 12 February, 2024.
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, Accessed on 12 February, 2024. “aqueous humour“.
