From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishhumourhu‧mour1 British English, humor American English /ˈhjuːmə $ ˈhjuːmər, ˈjuː-/ ●●○ noun [uncountable] 1 FUNNYthe ability or tendency to think that things are funny, or funny things you say that show you have this ability his humour and charm Greg’s feeble attempt at humour English humour It’s vital to have a sense of humor in this job. The host puts the contestants at ease with his own brand of humour. He showed flashes of humor that delighted the audience.2 FUNNYthe quality in something that makes it funny and makes people laugh He failed to see the humour of the situation.3 → in a good/an ill/a bad humour4 → out of humourCOLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1 & 2phrasesa sense of humourI'm afraid my dad doesn't have a very good sense of humour.somebody's brand of humour (=the type of jokes, funny stories etc that a particular person likes or tells)Their brand of humour isn't to everyone's taste.a flash/trace/touch of humour (=a very small amount of humour)She replied with a rare flash of humour.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + humour black/dark humour (=jokes, funny stories etc about the unpleasant parts of life)The tone of the film is light but there are moments of black humour.gallows humour (=jokes, funny stories etc which make very unpleasant or dangerous things seem funny)It was the kind of gallows humor that medical students love.schoolboy humour (=jokes, funny stories etc that are silly and rude but not offensive)The schoolboy humour appealed to him.dry/deadpan humour (=when someone makes it seem as if they are being serious, but really they are being funny)His serious demeanour lends itself to deadpan humour.wry humour (=when someone makes something seem both funny and sad)He wrote with wry humour about his time in a Turkish prison.gentle humour (=jokes or stories that do not offend anyone)The plays uses gentle humor to make a strong point.self-deprecating humour (=jokes, funny stories etc in which you criticize or make fun of yourself)Her self-deprecating humour made the audience howl with laughter.verbssee/appreciate the humour (=understand that something is funny)I may have been wet and covered in mud, but I could still see the humour in the situation.
Examples from the Corpus
humour• But in London it brought belly laughs with a bawdy display of music hall humour and saucy songs.• His flashes of light-hearted humour were commonly tinged with an awesome critical irony.• There was not a jot of humour in the man.• Do the best you can, hope for the best with the unpredictable and try to keep a sense of humour.• In character he was kindly, genial, and modest, with an abundant sense of humour.• He is immensely strong, but also shyly gentle and has great sense of humour.• The two types of humour perform opposing functions, pull in opposite directions.• Everyone laughed except Dad, who obviously didn't appreciate the humour of the situation.• This is the humour that does not heal, the sort that encourages hatred of outsiders.brand of humour• Presenter, Jim Bowen, puts the contestants at ease with his own brand of humour.• I was by no means immune from this brand of humour.humourhumour2 British English, humor American English verb [transitive] AGREEto do what someone wants or to pretend to agree with them so that they do not become upset ‘Of course, ’ he said, humouring her.→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
humour• Shana was forced to resort to humouring me rather than getting into arguments with me.• I want the police to look for her, not humour me.• She wasn't even going to humour Mrs Fanshawe any more.• Children go through defined periods of oppositional behaviour and may need humouring out of them.• I humoured the old lady, who soon went on her way. 