Humour or Humor: Which Spelling Is Correct?

Both “humour” and “humor” are correct. “Humour” is used in British English, while “humor” is the American spelling.
They have the same meaning, so choose the spelling that matches your audience.

Have you ever wondered whether humour or humor is the correct spelling? You may have seen both forms in books, websites, movies, and social media. This can make English spelling confusing, especially for students and people learning English as a second language.

The good news is simple: both “humour” and “humor” are correct. The difference comes mainly from the type of English being used. Humour is the standard spelling in British English, while humor is the standard spelling in American English.

Both words have the same meaning. They describe the quality of being funny or the ability to recognize and enjoy things that are amusing. For example, you can say that someone has a great sense of humour or humor.

Knowing which spelling to use can help you write more naturally for your readers. Whether you are writing an email, school assignment, blog post, or social media caption, choosing the right regional spelling makes your writing look polished and consistent.

Humour or Humor – Quick Answer

Both “humour” and “humor” are correct spellings. The main difference is regional.

• Humour is used in British English.
• Humor is used in American English.
• Both mean the same thing: the quality or ability to find things funny.

Examples:

• British English: She has a great sense of humour.
• American English: She has a great sense of humor.
• British English: His humour made everyone laugh.

So, neither spelling is wrong. Choose the form that matches your audience.

The Origin of Humour or Humor

The word comes from the Latin humor, meaning “moisture” or “fluid.” In ancient medicine, people believed that the body contained four important fluids, often called the four humours.

Over time, the meaning changed. The word became connected with a person’s mood, temperament, and eventually the ability to make or appreciate jokes.

English later developed two main spelling traditions.

British English kept the -our ending in words such as:

• humour
• colour
• favour
• honour

American English often simplified these spellings by removing the u:

• humor
• color
• favor
• honor

This spelling change became strongly associated with American English, especially through the influence of American dictionaries and spelling reform.

The meaning did not change. Only the spelling became different.

British English vs American English Spelling

The difference is straightforward. British English normally uses humour, while American English uses humor.

Version	Spelling	Region	Example Sentence
British English	humour	UK, Australia, New Zealand, and much of the Commonwealth	She has a wonderful sense of humour.
American English	humor	United States	She has a wonderful sense of humor.

Canadian English can vary, but humour is commonly used in Canada.

The same pattern appears in several other words. British English often keeps -our, while American English uses -or.

For example:

• colour → color
• favourite → favorite
• honour → honor
• behaviour → behavior
• humour → humor

Which Spelling Should You Use?

US audience

Use humor when writing for an American audience. It is the standard American spelling.

Example:

His sense of humor makes everyone feel comfortable.

UK/Commonwealth audience

Use humour for British English and in many Commonwealth varieties of English.

Example:

Her sense of humour made the meeting more enjoyable.

Global/SEO audience

For a global website, either form can work. However, it is best to choose one spelling based on your target audience and use it consistently.

If your website mainly targets American readers, choose humor. If it targets British or Commonwealth readers, choose humour.

For SEO, you can mention both forms naturally so readers searching for either spelling can find the answer.

Common Mistakes with Humour or Humor

The most common mistake is treating one spelling as universally correct.

Incorrect Idea	Correct Explanation
“Humour is always correct.”	Humour is standard in British English.
“Humor is always correct.”	Humor is standard in American English.
“They have different meanings.”	They normally have the same meaning.
“You can mix both forms.”	Choose one regional style and stay consistent.

Another common mistake is mixing British and American spellings in the same piece of writing.

For example:

❌ She has a good sense of humour, but her favorite jokes are American.

If you are using British English, consistency would be better:

✅ She has a good sense of humour, but her favourite jokes are American.

In American English:

✅ She has a good sense of humor, but her favorite jokes are American.

Humour or Humor in Everyday Examples

Both spellings are used in normal writing.

Emails

British English:

Thank you for your message. I enjoyed your sense of humour.

American English:

Thank you for your message. I enjoyed your sense of humor.

News headlines

British English:

Actor Known for His Dry Humour Returns to Television

American English:

Actor Known for His Dry Humor Returns to Television

Social media

I love your sense of humour!

or

I love your sense of humor!

Formal writing

British English:

The speaker used humour to make the presentation more engaging.

American English:

The speaker used humor to make the presentation more engaging.

The meaning stays the same in every example.

Humour or Humor – Google Trends & Usage

Search interest for humour and humor usually follows regional language patterns.

Humor is more common in searches from the United States because it follows American spelling conventions. Humour is more common in the United Kingdom and other places where British English is widely used.

The word also appears in many different contexts, including comedy, entertainment, psychology, writing, literature, and everyday conversation.

Interest can increase when people search for topics such as comedy, jokes, funny quotes, or a person’s sense of humor or humour.

For content creators, the best approach is simple: understand where your readers are located and follow their usual spelling style. Consistency is more important than trying to use both forms repeatedly.

Humour vs Humor: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Humour	Humor
Correct?	Yes	Yes
Main variety	British English	American English
Meaning	Same	Same
Pronunciation	Same	Same
Common in the UK	Yes	Less common
Common in the US	Less common	Yes
Related form	Humorous	Humorous
Best for US readers	No	Yes
Best for UK readers	Yes	No

The difference is mainly spelling, not meaning or pronunciation.

FAQs About Humour or Humor

Is humour or humor correct?

Both are correct. Humour is the British spelling, while humor is the American spelling.

Is humour British or American?

Humour is the standard British English spelling. American English normally uses humor.

Why does American English spell humor without a “u”?

American English adopted simplified spellings in several words. This created forms such as humor, color, favor, and honor.

Does humour mean the same as humor?

Yes. They have the same meaning and pronunciation. The difference is regional spelling.

Which spelling should I use in the US?

Use humor when writing for an American audience.

Which spelling should I use in the UK?

Use humour when writing for a British audience.

Is “sense of humour” correct?

Yes. Sense of humour is the British spelling. In American English, write sense of humor.

Conclusion

When deciding between humour or humor, remember one simple rule: both spellings are correct, but they belong to different English spelling traditions.

Use humour in British English and in many Commonwealth varieties of English. Use humor in American English. The meaning, pronunciation, and basic use of the word remain the same.

The difference comes from a wider spelling pattern. British English often keeps the -our ending, while American English usually uses -or. You can see the same pattern in words such as colour/color, favour/favor, and honour/honor.

If you are writing for a specific country, follow that country’s spelling style. For American readers, choose humor. For British readers, choose humour. If you are writing for a global audience, choose one style and use it consistently.

Most importantly, do not worry if you see the other form. Neither spelling is wrong. They are simply regional variations of the same word.

Alumni or Alumnus: Which Word Is Correct?