Learn How to Pronounce humor

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humor

Definition:

(nou) a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter (nou) the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous (nou) a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling (nou) the quality of being funny (nou) one of the four fluids in the body whose balance was believed to determine your emotional and physical state (nou) the liquid parts of the body

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈhjuːmə

Examples:

The humor was quite tame by the standards of later comedy.

Much of the character's humor is derived from slapstick comedy.

The actual humor in the joke itself is of the social commentary sort.

Learn more about:
humor

Related Words:

fun

How to perfect your pronunciation of: humor

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Common mistakes of humor pronunciation

Misplacing stress: Some learners place stress incorrectly on "humor," saying /ˈhjuː.mər/ instead of /ˈhjuː.mə/ in UK English. Tip: Focus on the first syllable for both US and UK pronunciations.
Overemphasizing the "h": A common mistake is to overly stress the "h" sound, making it sound harsh. In "humor," it should be a soft /h/. Tip: Practice saying "h" lightly, as in "hello."
Ignoring the "u" sound: Many pronounce "humor" as /ˈhjuː.mər/ without the clear "u" sound. This can lead to misunderstanding. Tip: Ensure you clearly articulate the "u" as in "you."
Confusing with "humour": Some mix up "humor" with its UK variant "humour," which includes an extra vowel sound. US pronunciation is /ˈhjuː.mər/. Tip: Remember that "humor" in the US does not have the "u" sound in the second syllable.
Shortening the second syllable: Learners may shorten the second syllable to sound like /ˈhjuː.mɚ/, which is incorrect in UK English. Tip: Maintain the unstressed /ə/ sound, ensuring it remains soft and clear.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "humor" in American English?

In American English, "humor" is pronounced as /ˈhjuːmər/. The stress is on the first syllable, which sounds like "hue," followed by a schwa sound in the second syllable.

Is there a difference in the pronunciation of "humor" between American and British English?

Yes, in British English, "humor" is pronounced as /ˈhjuːmə/. The primary stress remains on the first syllable, but the second syllable ends with a clearer "muh" sound rather than the schwa.

What syllable is stressed in the word "humor"?

The stress in "humor" is on the first syllable, pronounced as /ˈhjuːmər/. This means you should emphasize the "hue" part when saying the word.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "humor"?

One common mistake is misplacing the stress, which can lead to saying "humor" as /hjuːˈmɔːr/. Remember to keep the stress on the first syllable for correct pronunciation.