humorless
Never cracks jokes
Humorless describes someone who lacks the ability to appreciate or express humor.
A humorless person doesn't laugh at jokes, takes things too literally, or responds to lightheartedness with seriousness: Her humorless boss never cracked a smile.
The word can also describe things devoid of wit or levity: a humorless speech, a humorless workplace.
Serious and worrying
- solemnSerious and dignified
- earnestSincerely intense in purpose
- somberGravely serious in mood
- staidSerious and conventional
sedate · unsmiling · austere · severe · no-nonsense · businesslike · sober · poker-faced
Silently bad-tempered
- moroseSullenly ill-humored
- sourSharp, biting taste
- sulkyMoody and silently resentful
- grumpyIrritable in temperament
crabby · grouchy · cantankerous · irritable · peevish · petulant · cross · testy
Failing to engage interest
- tediousBoring through length
- uninterestingFailing to hold attention
- lifelessDevoid of animation
- flatLacking vertical variation
colorless · uninspired · unexciting · stale · prosaic · banal · dry · bland
Rigorous, without flexibility
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- rigidUnable to bend
- authoritativeHaving recognized expertise
disciplinarian · uncompromising · formidable · stiff · unbending · unyielding · severe · forbidding
Lacking outward feeling
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- dispassionateFree from emotional involvement
- reservedRestrained in manner
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
unresponsive · imperturbable · composed · collected · cool · self-controlled · restrained · guarded
grave
Serious and worrying
staid · sedate · unsmiling · austere · severe · no-nonsense · businesslike · sober · poker-faced · straight-faced
sullen
Silently bad-tempered
grumpy · crabby · grouchy · cantankerous · irritable · peevish · petulant · cross · testy · cranky
boring
Failing to engage interest
- tediousBoring through length
- uninterestingFailing to hold attention
- lifelessDevoid of animation
flat · colorless · uninspired · unexciting · stale · prosaic · banal · dry · bland · vapid
strict
Rigorous, without flexibility
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- rigidUnable to bend
authoritative · disciplinarian · uncompromising · formidable · stiff · unbending · unyielding · severe · forbidding · intimidating
unemotional
Lacking outward feeling
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- dispassionateFree from emotional involvement
- reservedRestrained in manner
aloof · unresponsive · imperturbable · composed · collected · cool · self-controlled · restrained · guarded · buttoned-up