jocose

adjective

jo·​cose jō-ˈkōs 

jə-

1

: given to joking : merry

2

: characterized by joking : humorous

jocosely adverb

jocoseness noun

jocosity

jō-ˈkä-sə-tē 

jə-

noun

Did you know?

The Funny Story of Jocose

When you need a word to describe something (or someone) that causes or is intended to cause laughter, you might pick jocose or a synonym such as humorous, witty, facetious, or jocular. Of those terms, humorous is the most generic and can be applied to anything that provokes laughter. Witty suggests cleverness and a quick mind, while facetious is a word for something that is not meant to be taken seriously. Jocose and jocular both imply a habitual waggishness and a fondness for joking.

Synonyms

• blithe
• blithesome
• festive
• gay
• gleeful
• jocular
• jocund
• jolly
• jovial
• laughing
• merry
• mirthful
• sunny

Choose the Right Synonym for jocose

witty, humorous, facetious, jocular, jocose mean provoking or intended to provoke laughter.

witty suggests cleverness and quickness of mind.

a witty remark

humorous applies broadly to anything that evokes usually genial laughter and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality or eccentricity.

humorous anecdotes

facetious stresses a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor.

facetious comments

jocular implies a usually habitual fondness for jesting and joking.

a jocular fellow

jocose is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting habitual waggishness or playfulness.

jocose proposals

Examples of jocose in a Sentence

the comedian's jocose introductions kept the awards ceremony from becoming a stodgy affair

Word History

Etymology

Latin jocosus, from jocus joke

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

jocose

adjective

jo·​cose jō-ˈkōs 

: merry sense 1, mirthful

jocosely adverb

jocoseness noun