- Main Entry:
- 1fun
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈfən\
- Function:
- noun
- Etymology:
- English dialect fun to hoax, perhaps alteration of Middle English fonnen, from fonne dupe
- Date:
- 1727
1: what provides amusement or enjoyment; specifically : playful often boisterous action or speech <full of fun>2: a mood for finding or making amusement <all in fun>3 a: amusement, enjoyment <sickness takes all the fun out of life> b: derisive jest : sport, ridicule <a figure of fun>4: violent or excited activity or argument <let a snake loose in the classroom; then the fun began>
synonyms fun,
jest,
sport,
game,
play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter.
fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose
<played cards just for fun>.
jest implies lack of earnestness in what is said or done and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing
<hurt by remarks said only in jest>.
sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone
<teasing begun in sport led to anger>.
game is close to
sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun
<made game of their poor relations>.
play stresses the opposition to
earnest without implying any malice or mischief
<pretended to strangle his brother in play>.
