Jocular
/ˈdʒɒk.jʊ.lər/noun
Fond of or characterized by joking and playful humor.
Did you know?Jocular comes from Latin iocularis, from iocus meaning “joke” or “jest,” and Roman writers used that same root in words for playful banter and wit.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yek-
“likely a root associated with uttering or speaking, later linked to joking and banter”
Latin
Latin
iocus
“a joke, jest, or playful remark”
Latin
Latin
iocularis
“joking, witty, facetious”
Old French
Old French
joculaire
“jocular, humorous”
Late Middle English
English
jocular
“humorous, given to jesting”
Modern English
English
jocular
“fond of joking or humorously playful”