Words / C2

f-uh-SEESH-uh-s/fəˈsiːʃəs/

Facetious means you treat a serious matter as a joke, usually at the wrong moment. Use it instead of funny or joking when the humour is misplaced. It is usable in speech as a mild rebuke (Don’t be facetious); I was only joking is softer.

Meaning

Treating a serious subject as a joke, often at the wrong time.

Examples

• “His facetious remark annoyed the examiner.”
• “A facetious aside during the condolences fell flat.”
• “I was being facetious — the deadline is real.”

Good to know

Joking when you should not. Not the same as witty.

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