“Humor” vs. “Joke”: What’s the Difference?

A line illustration of two people with their mouth open, and a giant question mark between them.

The difference between “humor” and “joke”

  • Humor is a broader concept that encompasses the quality of being funny or amusing, while a joke specifically refers to a form of humor that follows a structured format with a setup and punchline.
  • Humor can be expressed in various ways beyond jokes, such as through comedic situations, witty remarks, or general comedic appeal; whereas a joke is a specific type of humorous expression.
  • While humor is a subjective experience that can vary from person to person, a joke is a more specific attempt at humor with a defined structure and intention to elicit laughter or amusement through its punchline.
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What is the definition of “humor” and “joke”?

Humor
  • Humor refers to the quality of being funny, amusing, or entertaining. It is a characteristic that elicits laughter, amusement, or a sense of enjoyment.
  • Humor can take various forms, such as jokes, anecdotes, witty remarks, or comedic situations, and it is often used to lighten the mood, create a positive atmosphere, or provide entertainment.
  • Humor is subjective and can vary from person to person, as different individuals may find different things funny based on their personal preferences and cultural background.
Joke
  • A joke is a specific form of humor that involves a short story, phrase, or verbal expression with the purpose of amusing or provoking laughter. It is a deliberate attempt to be funny.
  • Jokes are often structured with a setup and a punchline, where the setup introduces a premise or situation and the punchline delivers the humorous or unexpected twist that elicits laughter.
  • Jokes can be based on wordplay, puns, irony, absurdity, or clever observations, and they are commonly shared in social interactions, performances, or written form to entertain and amuse others.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Humor” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Humor
554,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. His sense of humor was enough to make anyone burst into laughter.
  2. The comedian's humor was a bit too dark for some audience members.
  3. She found humor in the most mundane situations, making every day a little brighter.
Joke
257,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. He told a hilarious joke that had everyone in stitches.
  2. This joke is so old; it's lost its humor.
  3. My friend likes to tell "dad jokes" that are so bad that they actually become funny.
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