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.