Humor is a universal language that connects people, breaks barriers, and makes life more enjoyable. In English, idioms are a creative way to describe someone with a great sense of humor.
An idiom is a figurative expression whose meaning goes beyond the literal words. Instead of saying “He makes me laugh,” you can say “He’s a barrel of laughs” or “She cracks me up.” Idioms make conversations more lively, colorful, and memorable.
Idioms for a funny person are especially useful because they capture different shades of humor—witty, goofy, sarcastic, or lighthearted.
Whether you want to describe a friend who’s the life of the party or a comedian who never fails to amuse, these idioms give you the perfect words.
This article explores dozens of idioms that can enrich your vocabulary and help you express laughter and humor in natural, fluent English.
Did You Know?
The word humor originally came from ancient medicine! Doctors once believed that a person’s mood depended on the balance of “bodily fluids” called humors. Over time, “humor” came to mean wit, amusement, and fun. That’s why today, someone with a good sense of humor is highly appreciated everywhere.
Idioms That Show Someone Is Naturally Funny
A Barrel of Laughs
Meaning: A very funny person who makes others laugh constantly.
Example: “Hanging out with Tom is always fun—he’s a real barrel of laughs.”
Alternative: Bundle of fun.
Note: Often used in informal conversations.
A Real Card
Meaning: Someone amusing, often with quirky humor.
Example: “Your uncle is such a real card—he always cracks jokes at family dinners.”
Alternative: Comic relief.
Note: Informal, commonly said about friends and family.
A Born Comedian
Meaning: Someone who naturally entertains others with jokes.
Example: “Sally could be a born comedian; she always has everyone laughing.”
Alternative: Natural joker.
Note: Used in everyday life and casual chats.
Life of the Party
Meaning: The person who brings joy, laughter, and energy to any gathering.
Example: “Wherever she goes, she’s the life of the party.”
Alternative: Party animal.
Note: Popular in social settings and celebrations.
Walking Joke
Meaning: Someone constantly funny, often without trying.
Example: “Mike is like a walking joke; he can make you laugh even on a bad day.”
Alternative: Clown.
Note: Used in casual or playful conversations.
Funny Bone
Meaning: A person with a natural sense of humor.
Example: “Jake really tickles my funny bone with his witty stories.”
Alternative: Comic touch.
Note: Common in lighthearted daily talk.
Class Clown
Meaning: A student who jokes around and entertains classmates.
Example: “Back in school, he was the class clown.”
Alternative: Joker.
Note: Mostly used for school or childhood memories.
Idioms About Making People Laugh
Crack Someone Up
Meaning: To make someone laugh uncontrollably.
Example: “Her impressions always crack me up.”
Alternative: Split someone’s sides.
Note: Very common in informal English.
Split Your Sides
Meaning: To laugh so hard that it feels like your sides will burst.
Example: “That movie had me splitting my sides.”
Alternative: Rolling in the aisles.
Note: Usually said about jokes, comedy shows, or funny films.
In Stitches
Meaning: Laughing non-stop.
Example: “We were in stitches listening to his story.”
Alternative: Crying with laughter.
Note: Informal, widely used for jokes or live comedy.
Rolling in the Aisles
Meaning: Laughing uncontrollably, often at a performance.
Example: “The audience was rolling in the aisles during the stand-up show.”
Alternative: Howling with laughter.
Note: Commonly used in entertainment reviews.
Tickled Pink
Meaning: Delighted or amused.
Example: “I was tickled pink by your funny message.”
Alternative: Over the moon (though broader).
Note: Semi-formal, used for both humor and happiness.
Burst Out Laughing
Meaning: To suddenly laugh loudly.
Example: “She burst out laughing at his silly comment.”
Alternative: Crack up.
Note: Works in everyday conversations.
Giggle Fest
Meaning: A time full of uncontrollable giggles.
Example: “Our sleepover turned into a giggle fest.”
Alternative: Laughing fit.
Note: Informal, often used by young people.
Laugh Riot
Meaning: A person, event, or performance that is very funny.
Example: “The new comedy show was a laugh riot.”
Alternative: Comedy gold.
Note: Popular in entertainment contexts.
Idioms That Compare Funny People to Characters
Stand-Up Guy (or Gal)
Meaning: Someone trustworthy but also fun to be around.
Example: “He’s a stand-up guy who always makes people laugh.”
Alternative: Solid character.
Note: Can be used both formally and informally.
Comic Relief
Meaning: A person who provides humor in serious situations.
Example: “During tough meetings, she’s our comic relief.”
Alternative: Light-hearted soul.
Note: Popular in professional or group contexts.
Clown Around
Meaning: To act silly and make people laugh.
Example: “The kids love to clown around during recess.”
Alternative: Fool around.
Note: Used mainly for informal, playful behavior.
Joker in the Pack
Meaning: The person who brings surprise and laughter in a group.
Example: “Among our friends, Dave is the joker in the pack.”
Alternative: Wild card.
Note: Informal, casual usage.
Like a Comedian on Stage
Meaning: Describing someone who entertains everyone with humor.
Example: “At dinners, he talks like a comedian on stage.”
Alternative: Life of the show.
Note: Mostly used in storytelling.
Court Jester
Meaning: Someone who always jokes, similar to medieval jesters.
Example: “Every office has its own court jester.”
Alternative: Fool of the group.
Note: Often humorous and historical.
Idioms About Silly or Playful Humor
Goofball
Meaning: A silly but lovable person.
Example: “You’re such a goofball when you dance.”
Alternative: Silly goose.
Note: Informal, affectionate tone.
Silly Goose
Meaning: A lighthearted way of calling someone silly.
Example: “Oh, you silly goose, you always make me laugh.”
Alternative: Goofball.
Note: Playful, often said to children or close friends.
Monkey Business
Meaning: Playful or mischievous behavior.
Example: “Stop the monkey business and focus!”
Alternative: Horseplay.
Note: Used with both kids and adults joking around.
Clown Show
Meaning: Something silly or laughably disorganized.
Example: “That meeting turned into a clown show.”
Alternative: Circus act.
Note: Commonly used in informal professional talk.
Laughing Stock
Meaning: A person who is ridiculed or joked about.
Example: “If you wear that, you’ll be a laughing stock.”
Alternative: Butt of the joke.
Note: Can be negative; use carefully.
Bundle of Fun
Meaning: A cheerful, funny, and lively person.
Example: “She’s a bundle of fun to be around.”
Alternative: Barrel of laughs.
Note: Positive, casual compliment.
Jokester
Meaning: A person who constantly tells jokes.
Example: “Our team jokester keeps the mood light.”
Alternative: Prankster.
Note: Informal, widely used.
Cut-Up
Meaning: Someone who’s always making people laugh.
Example: “He was a real cut-up in high school.”
Alternative: Comic.
Note: Informal American English.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- In speaking: Use them when chatting with friends to make conversations lively. Instead of saying, “She’s very funny,” say, “She’s the life of the party.”
- In writing: Add them in social media posts, blogs, or storytelling. Example: “That show was a laugh riot—I couldn’t stop giggling.”
- In professional life: Choose lighter idioms like “comic relief” or “stand-up guy” to keep conversations friendly but still appropriate.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Wrong tense usage:
❌ “He crack me up.”
✅ “He cracks me up.” - Literal translation error:
❌ “I split my sides yesterday, but I’m okay now.”
✅ “That joke had me splitting my sides yesterday.” - Using idioms in the wrong setting:
❌ Saying “class clown” in a serious business meeting.
✅ Use more suitable terms like “comic relief” in formal contexts.
FAQs
1. What does it mean to call someone a “barrel of laughs”?
It means the person is very funny and makes others laugh often.
2. Can idioms for funny people be used at work?
Yes, but choose carefully. Light idioms like “comic relief” are fine, while silly ones like “goofball” are best for casual settings.
3. Are these idioms mostly American or British?
Most are common in both, though some like “cut-up” are more American, while “joker in the pack” is more British.
4. Can idioms replace regular words like funny or humorous?
Yes, idioms make your speech more colorful. Instead of “funny,” you can say “laugh riot” or “bundle of fun.”
5. Do these idioms always mean positive humor?
Not always. Some, like “laughing stock,” can be negative, so use with care.
Conclusion
Humor is one of the most powerful ways to connect with others, and English idioms for a funny person give you the right expressions to capture it.
From “life of the party” to “goofball” and “comic relief,” these idioms make your language richer, more expressive, and engaging.
Whether you’re describing a hilarious friend or writing about a comedy show, these expressions add warmth and wit to your communication.
Start using them today—you’ll not only improve your English but also spread laughter wherever you go.
