facetious
What does "facetious" mean?
The word "facetious" describes someone who is treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor. The mental image is of someone cracking a joke during a funeral or a high-stakes board meeting; it is not simply "funny," but rather "inappropriately lighthearted" in a way that risks being disrespectful. While it can sometimes be used to describe a playful person, it is most often used as a mild criticism to point out that someone is failing to take a situation seriously enough. It is frequently paired with the word "remark" or "comment" when someone says something flippant at the wrong time.
"facetious" in conversation
Work meeting
We are losing money every quarter, so we need real solutions.
We are losing money every quarter, so we need real solutions.
Maybe we should just start selling lemonade in the lobby?
Maybe we should just start selling lemonade in the lobby?
John, this is not the time for facetious remarks.
John, this is not the time for facetious remarks.
Used here to shut down an unhelpful joke.
Friends hanging out
Are you actually going to study or just stare at the wall?
Are you actually going to study or just stare at the wall?
I'm absorbing knowledge through osmosis.
I'm absorbing knowledge through osmosis.
Stop being facetious and open your textbook.
Stop being facetious and open your textbook.
Used to tell someone to stop being silly and get to work.
"facetious" in a sentence
He made a facetious comment during the ceremony.
He made a facetious comment during the ceremony.
I apologize if my previous statement seemed facetious, but I was quite serious about the deadline.
I apologize if my previous statement seemed facetious, but I was quite serious about the deadline.
The judge reprimanded the defendant for his facetious attitude toward the gravity of the charges.
The judge reprimanded the defendant for his facetious attitude toward the gravity of the charges.
