First Known Use: 1626
Dictionary
jocular
adjective joc·u·lar \ˈjä-kyə-lər\
: liking to tell jokes
: said or done as a joke
Full Definition of JOCULAR
1
: given to jesting : habitually jolly or jocund
2
: characterized by jesting : playful
— joc·u·lar·i·ty \ˌjä-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē, -ˈla-rə-\ noun
— joc·u·lar·ly \ˈjä-kyə-lər-lē\ adverb
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Origin of JOCULAR
Latin jocularis, from joculus, diminutive of jocus
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
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