- Today's Word
Facetious
fuh-SEE-shus
Definition
(adjective) Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.
Example
His facetious comment about the budget crisis annoyed colleagues who were trying to address the problem seriously.
Word Origin
Late 16th century: from French “facétieux,” from “facétie” meaning “jest,” from Latin “facetia” meaning “jest or witticism,” from “facetus” meaning “witty.”
Fun Fact
Facetious is one of the few English words containing all five vowels in alphabetical order (a-e-i-o-u), making it a favorite among wordplay enthusiasts. The word walks a fine line—being facetious isn’t the same as being funny. It specifically describes inappropriate humor, jokes made when seriousness is called for. Teenagers master facetiousness, responding to parental concern with sarcasm. The term carries mild disapproval—you’re not just joking, you’re joking when you shouldn’t be. Unlike “sarcastic,” which can be cutting, facetious humor tends toward the flip and dismissive. Some people deploy facetiousness as a defense mechanism, deflecting serious conversations with jokes. While humor has its place, facetious remarks often backfire, suggesting you’re not taking important matters seriously enough.