humour

UK: ˈhjuːmə | US: ˈhjuːmər

Definition

  1. n. the quality of being amusing or comic

  2. n. a mood or state of mind

  3. vt. to comply with someone's whims or tolerate their behavior

Structure
hum <moisture>our <noun suffix>hum <moisture>our <noun suffix>
Etymology

The word traces back to the ancient concept of the "four humors" (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile), which were thought to govern health and personality. A balanced mix produced a cheerful temperament, linking "humour" to amusement by the 16th century. The spelling retained the French -our ending, though American English later simplified it to -or.

Examples

  1. His dry humour always lightens the mood.

  2. She’s in a good humour today.

  3. The film combines action with subtle humour.

  4. Ancient doctors believed humour imbalances caused illness.

  5. I’ll humour him for now, but his demands are unreasonable.