jocular

adjective

joc·​u·​lar ˈjä-kyə-lər How to pronounce jocular (audio)
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 noun
jocularly adverb
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 Despite being forced to watch the rest of the action, Arriaga maintained his jocular attitude on the sideline Tuesday. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2024 Following the touchdown, Kelce celebrated on the sidelines by flexing his bicep before his teammate and fellow tight end, Noah Gray, ran up to him for a jocular head butting of their helmets. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023 Over the ensuing years, she was described as a meticulous and occasionally jocular presence on the bench who prided herself in her independence. Adam Bernstein, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2023 Talking about the Oslo Freedom Forum, Thor Halvorssen is a little jocular. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 26 June 2023 Known for his rare but always entertaining Q&As, Friedkin was in a sometimes jocular, usually contrary mood at the Chinese. Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Apr. 2023 There is a reason that Lloyd Webber is feeling so jocular. Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Oct. 2021 Among them was Dushoun Almond, a jocular and self-deprecating man who goes by the nickname Bigga. Maria Cramer Amir Hamja, New York Times, 4 June 2023 With each passing year, that entry looks like the plain MVP of the F&F project—a middle sequel that struck the ideal balance of vehicular thrills, goofy pyrotechnics, and jocular camaraderie. A.a. Dowd, Chron, 17 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jocular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of jocular was in 1626

Dictionary Entries Near jocular

Cite this Entry

“Jocular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jocular. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

jocular

adjective
joc·​u·​lar ˈjäk-yə-lər How to pronounce jocular (audio)
1
: fond of jesting
2
: said or done in jest
jocularity noun
jocularly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on jocular

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