jocular

adjective

joc·​u·​lar ˈjä-kyə-lər 

1

: said or done as a joke : characterized by jesting : playful

jocular remarks

2

: given to jesting : habitually jolly or jocund

a jocular man

jocularity

ˌjä-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-

noun

jocularly

ˈjä-kyə-lər-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• clever
• facetious
• humorous
• smart
• witty

Choose the Right Synonym for jocular

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 jocular in a Sentence

a jocular man who could make the most serious people smile

made the jocular observation that the best way to make a small fortune in the wine business is to start off with a large fortune

Recent Examples on the Web

He’s bid a tearful, jocular farewell by Tenax and has a massive turnout at his funeral; none of these people know the first thing about him, really. —Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 18 July 2024

Castle's tone here is more openly jocular than Whale's original, which chose a satirical approach over a parodic one. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024

The cast is unmatched and the pace jocular, but its greatest trick is managing to maintain an element of uncertainty and suspense. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2024

Pitt’s chuckles throughout the often jocular interview hinted that perhaps Clooney’s tough words should be taken with a grain of salt. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin jocularis, from joculus, diminutive of jocus — see jocose

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

jocular

adjective

joc·​u·​lar ˈjäk-yə-lər 

1

: fond of joking

2

: said or done as a joke

jocularity

ˌjäk-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

noun

jocularly

ˈjäk-yə-lər-lē 

adverb