facetious
/fəˈsiːʃəs/
Group 19Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant GRE
Example in Context
The diplomat's facetious remark about the negotiations offended delegates who considered the matter to be of life-and-death importance.
Synonyms
jokinghumorousplayful
Etymology
Elegant humor that is often inappropriately delivered, like a jester at a serious event.
- facetus (Latin) — elegant
Memory Aid
😜Sounds like “face tease us”
Think of someone making a FACE that TEASES us with jokes at a funeral — that's FACETIOUS!
Visual Association
🎭A clown in a formal suit trying to tell jokes at a serious meeting, making everyone awkwardly laugh.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “facetious” mean on the GRE?
facetious (adjective) means “Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant”. The diplomat's facetious remark about the negotiations offended delegates who considered the matter to be of life-and-death importance.
How to remember “facetious” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “facetious” sounds like “face tease us”. Think of someone making a FACE that TEASES us with jokes at a funeral — that's FACETIOUS!
What are synonyms for “facetious”?
Common synonyms: joking, humorous, playful.