What does humorist mean?
A humorist is someone who creates humor, especially in written or visual form. The word most often describes a writer, satirist, or cartoonist whose observations, jokes, and exaggerations are intended to amuse readers or viewers. It can also be used more broadly for any person celebrated for expressing a humorous outlook. In British and American English, the word is most naturally associated with creative work rather than stage performance, though a humorist may also perform stand-up comedy. Expressions such as 'political humorist' and 'a master humorist' emphasize the subject or quality of the work. The word is related in origin to humor, humorous, and humorless, but it normally focuses on the person producing humor rather than the quality itself. A humorist differs from a comedian primarily in emphasis: the former often works in writing or illustration, while the latter commonly performs before an audience.
nounA writer, cartoonist, or other creator whose work is intended to amuse or provoke laughter.
- A person whose creative work is intended to amuse or provoke laughter, especially through writing, satire, or cartoons.
"The humorist published a sharp new collection of observations about everyday life."
"Each newspaper appointed a humorist to comment on the week's political scandals."
"Her gentle humorist's eye revealed the absurdity of ordinary bureaucratic life."
The standard plural is humorists.
"Leading humorists responded to the announcement with a series of cartoons."
Not every humor tells jokes onstage: a humorist may make us laugh through writing, cartoons, or sharply observed commentary.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does humorist come from?
The word humorist entered English in the late 16th century from French humoriste, which was formed from humour. English humour came through French from Latin humor, meaning 'moisture' or 'fluid'; medieval Latin subsequently used the word for bodily fluids and associated temperaments. Its meanings eventually developed to include mental disposition and, later, the quality of being funny, giving rise to modern words such as humorous and humorless.
Related word forms
How humorist is actually used
The term is especially common for a writer, satirist, or cartoonist, but it can also refer more broadly to a person known for expressing humor. It may sound somewhat literary compared with the more general term 'comedian.'
Easily confused with humorist
A humorist generally creates humorous writing or visual material, whereas a comedian primarily performs humor before an audience.