Pronunciation: [hjˈuːmələsnəs] (IPA) 
Humourlessness is spelled with two "u"s, despite the fact that the word is pronounced with only one. This is due to the original spelling in British English, which retains the second "u" to reflect the word's Latin root, "umor," meaning moisture or fluid. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /ˈhjuːmjələsnəs/, with a long "u" sound in the first syllable and a short "u" sound in the second.
Humourlessness is a noun that refers to the state or quality of lacking a sense of humour or the ability to appreciate or understand jokes, comedy, or amusement in general. It is characterized by an absence of wit, laughter, or the capacity to find amusement in situations that are intended to be funny or light-hearted.
A person who possesses humourlessness tends to have a serious demeanor and may often be seen as being overly serious or straight-faced. They may struggle to comprehend or engage in banter, sarcasm, or other forms of verbal playfulness that are commonly associated with humour. Their responses to jokes or attempts at humor may be met with indifference, confusion, or even annoyance, as they fail to recognize the comedic elements or nuances involved.
Humourlessness can manifest in different ways, ranging from a lack of understanding of wordplay or puns to an inability to recognize irony or satire. It can hinder one's ability to relax, enjoy social interactions, or appreciate the comedic aspects of life. Individuals with humourlessness may find it challenging to connect with others on a lighthearted level or to effectively diffuse tense or awkward situations by using humor.
Although humor is subjective and what may be funny to one person may not be to another, humourlessness generally refers to a consistent and pervasive inability to find amusement or joy in situations that are intended to be humorous.
The word "humourlessness" is derived from the root word "humour", which ultimately comes from the Latin word "humor", meaning "liquid" or "moisture". In ancient medical theory, bodily fluids were believed to be responsible for a person's temperament and overall health. The word "humour" specifically referred to one of the four bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) that were believed to govern a person's disposition.
Over time, "humour" evolved to also mean a person's mood, inclination, or sense of amusement. The suffix "-less" is added to "humour" to form "humourlessness", indicating the absence or lack of a sense of humor or the characteristic of being serious, somber, or lacking in amusement.
