How to Be Hilarious & Develop Your Sense of Humor

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A complete guide to being effortlessly funny in every situation
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Humor helps you connect with others, improve your mental and physical health, and even help you smooth over conflict. Having a sense of humor means you’ve developed the ability to recognize what’s funny and make other people laugh. That might seem like a lot of work, but there are simple steps you can take to develop your sense of humor and be funnier. We spoke with a life coach and a comedian to get their best tips for being funny and improving your life with humor.

How to Be Funnier: Quick Tips

Figure out what makes you laugh by paying attention to what other people find funny and surrounding yourself with funny people. Watch comedians, funny movies, and sitcoms. Remember to have fun, be yourself, and learn a few jokes to test on friends!

Section 1 of 5:

Developing a Sense of Humor

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  1. While it’s possible to stop yourself from laughing in inappropriate settings, it’s often much harder to laugh on demand. When you try to force a laugh, it’s often obvious to others. [1] The good news is that you’re about 30 times more likely to laugh in the presence of others. That means it's easy to start laughing when others are laughing. [2]
    • Many believe we laugh over the misfortunes of others because it makes us feel superior.
    • Others believe that laughter is a way to release pent-up nervous energy.
    • Another reason for laughter is that we are delighted and amused when something surprises us or goes against our expectations.
    • A modern theory that combines these explanations is benign violation, which means that we find humor when ethical, social, or physical norms have been violated, but the violation isn’t serious. [3]
  2. When you’re trying to learn more about what you find funny, it often helps to do a little people-watching. Notice what your friends and family laugh at. What situations crack them up? What funny movies do they like, and what parts of those movies make them laugh out loud? Just remember, it’s normal for people to find humor in different situations. So, what makes other people laugh might not be funny to you. [4]
    • While you may not connect with or use that type of humor, seeing other people laugh at it can help you understand humor better.
    • Try watching funny movies and TV shows starring comedians like Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Kristen Wiig, Steve Martin, or Maya Rudolph.
    • Watch improvisational comedians . Attend an improv show and even take part in it if you can!
    • Try listening to comedy podcasts by comedians like Marc Maron, Conan O’Brien, Julia Louis-Dryefus, and Keke Palmer.
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  3. One of the best—and most fun—ways to develop a sense of humor is to surround yourself with funny people. Whether they're professional comedians, your parents, your kids, or your boss, learning from the funny people in your life is a key step to being funny yourself. Pay attention to what they do to be funny…and how they do it. Look for what you admire most in these people. Immersing yourself like this can help you develop a toolbox of techniques you can use to be funny. [5]
    • Make a note of what your funny friends do and say to be funny so you can think about how you can use it later.
    • Don’t spend all your time observing your funny friends. Take part in the fun by joining in with your own humorous quip!
  4. Being able to laugh is key to developing a sense of humor. And a side effect of laughing and smiling more helps you feel better. [6] Try to find the humor in your life…even in situations you don’t find particularly funny. Laugh at life's little misfortunes and smile as often as possible. Make laughing a priority for yourself and try to share the good feeling you get with others. Certified life coach Rachel Kove recommends setting a timer and then smiling or laughing for a full minute. “It will feel really silly and uncomfortable…[but] the fake laughter will turn to real laughter.” [7]
    • People tend to laugh at jokes that deal with their situations, where they live, or their beliefs.
    • This is why The Office is so funny. The setting seems boring, but it’s relatable to many people, so it's especially funny.
    • Break the ice with a light joke about mundane topics like the weather or traffic in your city.
    • For example, “I was 10 years younger before my commute this morning.”
  5. When you first start working on developing your sense of humor, don’t worry so much about making people laugh at every single comment. Public speaking coach Patrick Muñoz suggests that you just try to stay in the moment and react to what’s going on around you. [8] Being funny doesn't come in a "one-size-fits-all" package. What makes you funny is unique to you and the way you observe the world.
    • Babies start laughing as early as 3 ½ months old. [9] So, you already have a sense of humor. All you need to do is bring it out!
    • Just focus on being your authentic self and enjoying the moment. Being yourself makes you feel more relaxed and confident…which makes it so much easier to be funny.
    EXPERT TIP

    Susan Pazak, PhD

    Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Professional Life Coach
    Dr. Susan Pazak is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Professional Life Coach. With more than 21 years of experience, she specializes in treating adolescents and adults with psychological issues using cognitive behavioral therapy, symptom reduction skills, and behavior modification techniques. She has been featured in numerous media outlets and shows, including “My Strange Addiction". Dr. Pazak holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in Communications from The University of Pittsburgh, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University.
    Susan Pazak, PhD
    Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Professional Life Coach

    Develop a better sense of humor by changing your attitude. When we take life and situations so seriously, we don’t allow ourselves to find humor in much of anything. Watch funny shows or read comics. Study how to adjust your attitude, release negative, bitter thoughts, and learn to laugh again.

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Section 2 of 5:

Making People Laugh

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  1. Sharing a laugh is a great way to connect and make new friends. Learn a few basic jokes and one-liners to use when you want to bring a little humor to your next social function. [10] Look for funny pictures, witty comments, and hilarious memes that match your style of humor to share with your friends. Just remember, you need a quick wit and good timing to deliver a joke or one-liner. But with a little practice, you’ll have people rolling in the aisles in no time.
    • The writer Dorothy Parker was famous for her one-liners. For example, when commenting about money, she said, “Money cannot buy health, but I'd settle for a diamond-studded wheelchair.”
    • Or memorize a simple joke like: “You know why you never see elephants hiding up in trees? Because they’re really good at it.”
    • For more hilarious ideas, check out wikiHow's "Tell me your funniest jokes" forum !
  2. People love it when there’s a difference between what they expect and what actually happens. [11] Funny people are usually able to use surprise by misdirecting your attention in the same way magic tricks do. Instead of waving their hand to direct your eye, they use words to direct your mind.
    • For example: "What happens to liars when they die?" Answer – "They lie still." This joke works because you interpret the joke in two ways, and your brain is temporarily confused by its inability to draw on experience to figure it out.
    • Consider Groucho Marx's clever one-liner, "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read," or Rodney Dangerfield's line, "My wife met me at the door the other night in a sexy negligee. Unfortunately, she was just coming home."
  3. Comedic timing is the use of pacing, delivery, rhythm, and pauses to make a joke land with the most impact. And good comedic timing is vital when delivering a joke or one-liner because even the funniest jokes fall flat if the timing is off. For example, the classic Henny Youngman joke, “Take my wife…please,” relies on that pause (and a little misdirection), or it wouldn’t be funny.
    • Missing the right moment or giving people too much time to work out a joke lets the humor pass by, and then it’s just disappointing…and a little annoying.
    • This is probably why jokes people have heard before don't work, as recognition dulls the humor because the brain can’t be surprised by the misdirection.
    • Wait for the right moment by paying close attention to what the other person is saying in a conversation. That way, you can come up with a one-liner or comeback that makes what they said really funny.
    • Timing is crucial here. Your humorous statement needs to come out quickly and fully formed. For example, your friend says: "Isn't it weird that we only have hair on our heads and pubic areas?" You might say: "Speak for yourself."
    • If the timing is all wrong, save your joke for another time. Don't worry! You'll have plenty of chances to show off your wit.
    • If someone says something to you, and you think of a witty comeback two hours later, you're probably better off just keeping it to yourself.
  4. Comedian Kendall Payne says, “Take a simple idea, something that you think is funny, something that made you laugh, and then just find three separate ways to implement it.” [12] One way to do this is to use a comedic triple. This is when you set expectations, build anticipation, and then hit them with a surprising punchline. [13]
    • An example of the comedic triple is this joke from Jon Stewart: “I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land.”
    • It’s funny because Stewart sets the expectations in the first sentence with a reference to an old-fashioned Thanksgiving. This makes people picture a traditional Thanksgiving scene.
    • In the first two parts of the second sentence, Stewart builds tension by describing a traditional Thanksgiving.
    • Then, in the third part, he drives the joke home by making a reference to interactions between European settlers and Native Americans.
  5. “Punching up” means that you make fun of people who have more power than you, not less. When you punch up, you’re less likely to do any real damage to the person you’re poking fun at. Some refer to this type of comedy as “speaking truth to power,” which is a way to confront injustice. Targets of punching up might be authority figures or members of higher social classes or with more privilege. [14]
    • Punching sideways refers to making jokes about yourself and your experiences and social class.
    • Many people—including professional comedians—feel that punching down is cruel, unnecessary bullying.
    • Always avoid being belittling or judgemental of people who might actually be hurt by your words.
  6. Different things make different people laugh. Try to read the room by listening to what people are talking about and the general mood. If they’re laughing, listen to the types of things they’re laughing at. If everyone is serious, pay attention to that, too. Then, make your humorous comments to match the vibe of the gathering. Muñoz suggests using humor carefully in very serious situations and really paying attention to your audience’s reaction. [15]
    • If people are generally serious, keep your humor low-key. If everyone has a similar interest—like a club for people who like a specific hobby—use that as a subject.
    • Make your jokes as accessible as possible to reach more people. Not everyone knows what it's like to ride in a helicopter, be a millionaire, or have a baby. But most people know what it's like to go fast, fantasize about money, and love another person deeply.
    • When you're in a group of people you don't know, listen to what subjects they're talking about and what's making them laugh. Are they the witty banter type? The slapstick or physical comedy type? Then use that knowledge to make them laugh .
    • Be especially careful about cracking jokes or pulling pranks during funerals and weddings or at places of worship (or religious events) to avoid causing offense.
    • If your humor is unwanted, it could be mistaken for harassment or discrimination, especially if you’re playing a prank that might physically harm somebody.
  7. Because comedy is all about delivery and timing, you can practice and improve your skills to be funnier. Give your sense of humor a workout by making jokes and dropping one-liners until the rhythm feels natural to you. Start by trying out a few funny lines on your friends and family. Let them know you’re working on your delivery and ask them to tell you what they think. [16]
    • Practicing with people you trust and who can give you constructive feedback is a good way to start.
    • As you get more comfortable, try telling a few jokes to people who aren’t close to you to get outside your comfort zone.
    • Just remember, as you work on your timing and delivery, you may drop a few bombs. But don’t worry! Even the funniest comedians miss their audience’s funny bones from time to time.
    • Payne says, “You just have to develop a little bit of a tough skin, and know that somebody not laughing at your jokes isn't a personal attack on you or your personality.” [17]
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Section 3 of 5:

Using Different Types of Humor

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  1. Wordplay is when you exploit the twists and turns of language to get a laugh. A pun is a specific type of wordplay that uses the multiple meanings of a word or substitutes a similar-sounding word to make a joke. [18] The comedy comes from linguistic confusion (unintentional) or linguistic playfulness (intentional), meaning people find things humorous when there's a gap between our words and our meanings. [19]
    • Freudian slips are linguistic errors that are believed to expose what you were really thinking rather than what you "meant" to say. For example, if you’re at work, making a big speech and instead of “Our company values innovation,” you say, “Our company values inebriation.”
    • Witty wordplay is more intentional. For example, "Why did the chicken cross the road? She wanted to be poultry in motion."
    • Or this one, where "hockey game" and "fight" are switched for comedic effect: "I went to a fight the other night, and a hockey game broke out."
  2. Irony is when there’s a gap between our expectations of a statement, situation, or image and the actual experience of it. [20] For example, legendary comedian Jackie Mason used comedic irony in this joke: "My grandfather always said, 'Don't watch your money; watch your health.' So one day, while I was watching my health, someone stole my money. It was my grandfather."
    • Mason’s joke plays with our expectation that grandfathers would only offer their grandsons sincere advice. Then, it presents a thieving grandfather who double-crosses his grandson.
    • Another example of using comedic irony is in the film Dr. Strangelove when the President of the United States says, “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here. This is the war room!”
  3. Observational humor is when you draw attention to the normal stuff that happens every day in a way that makes you laugh. Using this type of humor requires you to be observant so you can see the ridiculousness of everyday life. Payne says to look for humor in everyday situations to see what other people miss. [21] Often, that unnoticed humor gets the biggest laugh.
    • For example, Jerry Seinfeld once made this observation about ordering food in a restaurant, “I don't wanna know about the specials. I'm sick of the specials. I hate the specials. My feeling is, if the specials were so special, they'd be on the menu.”
    • Jerry Seinfeld, Ali Wong, and Brian Regan have made their careers on making observations about everyday occurrences and experiences.
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Section 4 of 5:

Finding Inspiration

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  1. It’s much easier to find funny moments in a subject you know well, whether it’s computer programming, 17th-century poetry, or mishaps on your family fishing trips. The more you know about a wide range of subjects, the more people will relate to what you say and find humor in it. For example, if you can find humor in theoretical physics and Paris Hilton, you’ll be able to connect with many different types of people.
    • Drawing an interesting parallel between two wildly different subjects can be very funny if done well.
    • In one sense, being funny is simply showing that you are intelligent enough to find the humorous nuances that others miss.
    • For example, a comic might relate flossing with the breeding practices of chimpanzees to make people see it in a new light…and laugh at it.
  2. Read everything you can get your hands on, especially if it’s funny. Reading and practicing the subject of comedy is the same as chemistry, writing, or any other skill. Plus, you might find reading humorous books might inspire you! When you’re reading joke books, pick them apart to analyze what makes them funny. Then, try to work out why some jokes do not work.
    • Choose works by people like James Thurber, P.G. Wodehouse, Stephen Fry, Kaz Cooke, Sarah Silverman, Woody Allen, Bill Bryson, Bill Watterson, Douglas Adams, etc. (Don't forget children's books by good authors; they can be a terrific source of good humor!)
    • Try reading a few memoirs by funny people, like Bossypants by Tina Fey, Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson, and I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons by Kevin Hart.
  3. Listen carefully to others and understand what they're about, especially if they’re funny. Try to notice and relate to the small joys of their lives, too. This helps to make your humor more believable and empathetic to others. [22]
    • Active listening means giving the other person your full attention without distractions.
    • Maintain eye contact to let the other person know you’re focused on them.
    • Smile, nod, or give verbal affirmations as they speak to show you’re engaging with what they say.
    • Try to avoid thinking about what you want to say next. Listen to everything they have to say and pause to think before speaking.
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Section 5 of 5:

Benefits of Humor

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  1. Kove says that laughter is one of the most healing things you can do for yourself and recommends making an effort to find the humor in every situation. [23] The benefits of humor are physical, cognitive, emotional, and social. They include reduced stress, increased mood and creativity, and happier relationships with others. A few other benefits of having a sense of humor are: [24]
    • Decreasing pain
    • Strengthening relationships
    • Boosting immunity
    • Preventing heart disease
    • Relaxing muscles
    • Improving your mood
  2. Sometimes, the best way to deal with negative emotions or heavy subjects is to use humor to lighten the mood, recommends Muñoz. [25] Laughter is a powerful tool to fight anger, stress, anxiety, and depression. A good joke is a great way to take the pressure off yourself—or others. [26]
    • Notice what makes you feel uncomfortable and defensive and find humor in the situation to let go of your defensiveness.
    • Finding the humor in your life can also help you overcome anxiety .
  3. Hold on to your sense of humor, even in those most serious circumstances, recommends Muñoz. [27] Use your most embarrassing moments as fuel for your humor. If you can use these cringe-worthy moments to make people laugh, it’s easier to be more spontaneous and get over any fears that hold you back.
    • Take a page from famous improv comic Colin Mochrie, who said: "He had the kind of face only a mother could love if that mother was blind in one eye and had that kind of milky film over the other... but still, he was my identical twin."
    • Having a sense of humor helps you have fun despite what life throws at you. That means you can laugh at life and poke fun at your situation, which is key to having a great sense of humor.
    • Focus on the positives and be forgiving when other people make mistakes to reduce conflicts in your life. [28]
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      Tips

      • Don't laugh at your own jokes until everyone else is laughing. It makes it seem like you're trying too hard to be funny and can spoil the funny moment.
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      • Make sure your jokes are unique to you, and don't copy anyone else's style. If you use jokes you already know, choose ones that are actually funny, harmless, and not cliché.
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      • Many comedians use a callback or reference to a previous joke, usually getting as big a laugh (or bigger) on the second time than on the first.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Make sure your jokes are appropriate for the topic at hand. For instance, don't make a joke if your friend is trying to have a serious conversation or is opening up to you about something.
      • Make sure your jokes are funny, but do not insult anyone. For example, don't joke about someone else's appearance, religion, etc.
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      Warnings

      • Be very careful making jokes about subjects like religion and politics. Everything can be funny, but if you go "too far," you may offend people.
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      • Be sure to consider if the environment where you tell the joke is appropriate before you begin.
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      • Try to avoid picking on any one person too much. It’s easy to go overboard and hurt their feelings, which isn’t funny at all.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-brain-can-distinguish-between-real-and-fake-laughter/
      2. ↑ https://psychology.umbc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2013/10/Laughing-Smiling-and-Talking-Relation-to-Sleeping-and-social-context-in-humans-Robert-R.Provine.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whats-so-funny-the-science-of-why-we-laugh/
      4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/let-their-words-do-the-talking/201608/people-will-you-if-you-make-them-laugh
      5. ↑ https://practicalpie.com/how-to-be-funny-10-tips-to-improve-your-sense-of-humor/
      6. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/laughter-is-the-best-medicine
      7. ↑ Rachel Kove. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 27 April 2022.
      8. ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 15 December 2022
      9. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/articles/zqh6dp3
      1. ↑ https://time.com/6273110/humor-health-benefits-strategies/
      2. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how_to_improve_your_sense_of_humor
      3. ↑ Kendall Payne. Writer, Director, & Stand-up Comedian. Expert Interview. 3 April 2020.
      4. ↑ https://www.writersdigest.com/there-are-no-rules/comedy-writing-secrets-triples
      5. ↑ https://dallascomedyclubtrainingcenter.com/punching-up/
      6. ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 15 December 2022
      7. ↑ https://practicalpie.com/how-to-be-funny-10-tips-to-improve-your-sense-of-humor/
      8. ↑ Kendall Payne. Writer, Director, & Stand-up Comedian. Expert Interview. 3 April 2020.
      9. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/words-for-types-of-word-play/
      10. ↑ https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1348261.pdf
      11. ↑ https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/humor/
      12. ↑ Kendall Payne. Writer, Director, & Stand-up Comedian. Expert Interview. 3 April 2020.
      13. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/emotional-nourishment/202305/being-a-very-good-listener
      14. ↑ Rachel Kove. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 27 April 2022.
      15. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/laughter-is-the-best-medicine
      16. ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 15 December 2022
      17. ↑ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-overcome-anxiety-and-fear
      18. ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 15 December 2022
      19. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/relationships/communication/managing-conflicts-with-humor

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