VocabDictionary

facetiously

/fəˈsiː.ʃəs.li/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adverb

In a way that treats serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippantly.

Example Sentences:
  • When asked why he was late, he facetiously replied that he had stopped to rescue a cat from a tree.
  • She was only speaking facetiously when she suggested we scrap the entire project and start over.
Share & Learn With Friends

Share “facetiously” with study groups, classmates, or on your social channels.

English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “facetiously”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the adjective 'facetious', originating from the French 'facétieux', which comes from the Latin 'facetus' meaning witty, elegant, or fine. The suffix '-ly' was added to form the adverb. Notably, 'facetiously' is a famous example of a word containing the vowels 'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', and 'u' in their exact alphabetical order.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of someone making a 'face' while speaking to show they are not being serious.

Frequently Asked Questions About “facetiously

1. What is the meaning of “facetiously” in English?

In English, facetiously (adverb) is defined as: “In a way that treats serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippantly.”.

2. How do you use “facetiously” in a sentence?

When asked why he was late, he facetiously replied that he had stopped to rescue a cat from a tree.

3. What are English synonyms of “facetiously”?

Common synonyms include:jokingly,flippantly,ironically,sardonically

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “facetiously”?

Derived from the adjective 'facetious', originating from the French 'facétieux', which comes from the Latin 'facetus' meaning witty, elegant, or fine. The suffix '-ly' was added to form the adverb. Notably, 'facetiously' is a famous example of a word containing the vowels 'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', and 'u' in their exact alphabetical order.