Humor and humour are both correct spellings of the same word. The difference depends on the type of English you use. Humor is the standard spelling in American English, while humour is used in British English and other varieties that follow British spelling. Both forms have the same meaning and describe something funny or a sense of fun.
Quick Answer:
Use humor in American English and humour in British English. Neither spelling is more correct. Choose the form that matches your audience and keep it consistent throughout your writing.
Comparison Table
| Word | English Variety | Meaning |
| Humor | American English | Something funny or amusing; a sense of fun |
| Humour | British English | Something funny or amusing; a sense of fun |
Both forms can also be used as verbs meaning to accommodate or indulge someone.
Humor in American English
Humor is the standard American spelling. It is standard in US writing.
For example:
- She has a great sense of humor.
- His humor made everyone laugh.
As a verb, humor means to accommodate or indulge someone:
- I decided to humor him and listen to his idea.
Humour in British English
Humour is the standard British spelling. It is also used in other British-based varieties.
For example:
- She has a great sense of humour.
- His humour kept the conversation lively.
British English also uses humour as a verb:
- They decided to humour the child.
Related Forms
The spelling difference continues in some related forms:
- American: humored, humoring
- British: humoured, humouring
However, humorous is spelled without the extra u in both American and British English. Humourous is not the standard spelling.
When to Use Each
Choose the spelling based on your audience:
- Writing for a US audience → humor
- Writing for a UK audience → humour
- Following a style guide → use its preferred spelling
Stay consistent within one piece of writing. Mixing humor and humour can make your spelling look inconsistent.
Common Mistakes
Do not assume humour is incorrect because American English uses humor. Both are correct in their appropriate varieties.
Another mistake is writing humourous. The standard form is humorous in both US and UK English.
Only the spelling changes; the meaning stays the same.
Pronunciation
Both humor and humour are pronounced essentially the same way: HYOO-mer. The difference is spelling, not meaning.
Examples
- She has a wonderful sense of humor.
- British readers often prefer the spelling humour.
- His humor helped everyone relax.
- Her dry humour made the story even funnier.
- I tried to humor my friend by agreeing with him.
- They decided to humour the guest and hear his explanation.
Memory Trick
Think of the U as the British spelling marker:
US → Humor
UK → Humour
American English drops the u; British English keeps it.
Mini Quiz
- Which spelling is standard in American English?
- Which spelling is standard in British English?
- Is humour an incorrect spelling?
- Is humourous a standard spelling?
- Can both forms be used as a verb?
Answers: 1. Humor 2. Humour 3. No 4. No 5. Yes
FAQs
Is humor or humour correct?
Both are correct. Humor is standard in American English, while humour is standard in British English.
Does humor mean the same as humour?
Yes. They have the same meaning and are normally pronounced the same way.
Is “humourous” correct?
No. The standard spelling is humorous in both American and British English.
Should I use humor or humour?
Use humor for American English and humour for British English. The key is consistency.
Key Takeaways
- Humor = American English.
- Humour = British English.
- Same meaning and pronunciation.
- Both can be nouns and verbs.
- Humorous is correct in both varieties.
- Choose one spelling and use it consistently.
Conclusion
Humor and humour are two accepted spellings of the same word. American English uses humor, while British English uses humour.
Choose the variety that fits your audience, use it consistently, and remember that humorous is the same in both varieties.
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Bryan Garner an experienced English language writer specializing in grammar, usage, word choice, and clear American English. He focuses on making complex language rules simple, accurate, and practical.
William Strunk
Mignon Fogarty