ill humor
LowFormal, literary, slightly archaic
Definition
Meaning
A temporary state of being bad-tempered, irritable, or in a cross mood.
A disposition or character marked by irritability, peevishness, or a tendency to be easily annoyed; can refer to both a temporary mood and a more lasting personality trait.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Spelt as one word (ill humour) in UK English. Often used in literary or psychological descriptions. It implies a state beyond simple irritation, often involving a sullen or morose disposition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily a spelling difference: British 'ill humour' vs. American 'ill humor'.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British literary or formal contexts. In American English, it can sound old-fashioned or deliberately formal.
Frequency
Generally low frequency in both varieties, more likely found in writing than speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to be in [adj] ill humorto display/show [obj] ill humora fit/bout/attack of ill humorVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be out of humor”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; may be used in formal reports on workplace atmosphere, e.g., 'Management noted the ill humor in the department following the restructuring announcement.'
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or psychological analyses describing character traits or societal moods.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation; would sound formal or old-fashioned.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- He was an ill-humoured old man, rarely seen without a scowl.
- Her ill-humoured reply silenced the room.
American English
- The ill-humored clerk made the return process difficult.
- An ill-humored debate filled the senate chamber.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He woke up in ill humor and shouted at his brother.
- Try not to talk to her when she's in ill humor.
- The manager's chronic ill humor created a tense atmosphere in the office.
- A wave of ill humor swept over him after reading the critical email.
- The critic's essay was dismissed by many as the product of mere ill humor and professional jealousy.
- Beneath his witty banter lay a deep-seated ill humor that occasionally surfaced in cutting remarks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a classic British cartoon character with a cloud over his head, muttering 'HUM-bug' in ILL temper. The 'ILL HUM' of a grumpy person.
Conceptual Metaphor
BAD MOOD IS A SICKNESS / BAD TEMPER IS A DARK CLOUD
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from 'плохое настроение' which is more accurately 'bad mood'. 'Ill humor' is more formal and implies a nastier, more sullen temper.
- Do not confuse with 'больной юмор' (sick humor/gallows humor).
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean a general 'bad mood' in casual contexts (too formal).
- Confusing it with 'ill-humored' (the adjective).
- Using it as a countable noun (*he had an ill humor).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'ill humor' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered formal and somewhat old-fashioned or literary. 'Bad mood' or 'grumpiness' are far more common in everyday speech.
'Ill humor' suggests a more persistent, sullen, and often nastier temper, while 'bad mood' is a broader, more neutral term for a temporary negative emotional state.
Not directly. The adjective form is hyphenated: 'ill-humored' (US) or 'ill-humoured' (UK).
Yes, it follows the standard pattern: UK English uses '-our' (humour), while US English uses '-or' (humor). The compound is therefore 'ill humour' (UK) and 'ill humor' (US).