facetious

[ fuh-see-shuhs ]

adjective

1. not meant to be taken seriously or literally:

   a facetious remark.

2. amusing; humorous.
3. lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous:

   a facetious person.

facetious

/ fəˈsiːʃəs /

adjective

1. characterized by levity of attitude and love of joking

   a facetious person

2. jocular or amusing, esp at inappropriate times

   facetious remarks

Usage Note

A term labeled Facetious in this dictionary is one that is used consciously for humorous or playful effect.

Derived Forms

• faˈcetiousness, noun
• faˈcetiously, adverb

Other Words From

• fa·cetious·ly adverb
• fa·cetious·ness noun
• nonfa·cetious adjective
• nonfa·cetious·ly adverb
• nonfa·cetious·ness noun
• unfa·cetious adjective
• unfa·cetious·ly adverb
• unfa·cetious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of facetious¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Middle French facecieux, facetieux, from facetie “a jest,” from Latin facētia “a jest, witticism” ( facetiae ) + -ious

Word History and Origins

Origin of facetious¹

C16: from Old French facetieux, from facetie witty saying; see facetiae

Synonym Study

See humorous ¹.

Example Sentences

She doesn’t find much if anything to like about the field, which she sees as a hive of people aiming to take advantage of the innocent and unwary — the facetious subtitle of her Web3 website calls it “definitely not an enormous grift that’s pouring lighter fluid on our already smoldering planet.”

From Los Angeles Times

“And I’m not being facetious, like just bring extra underwear,” he said.

From Seattle Times

I’m being only half facetious.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s impossible to write those words without sounding facetious, but, reader: This time they fit.

From Salon

He proposes strict control over human "breeding" on the facetious grounds that it's necessary for the betterment of humanity, which he mostly understands in extremely racist terms.

From Salon