fun

[ fuhn ]

noun

1. something that provides mirth or amusement:

   A picnic would be fun.

   Synonyms: gaiety, play, pleasure, merriment

2. enjoyment or playfulness:

   She's full of fun.

   Synonyms: gaiety, play, pleasure, merriment

verb (used with or without object)

, funned, fun·ning,

1. Informal. joke; kid.

adjective

, fun·ner, fun·nest.

1. Informal. of or relating to fun, especially to social fun:

   a fun thing to do; really a fun person; the funnest game.

2. Informal. whimsical; flamboyant:

   The fashions this year are definitely on the fun side.

fun

/ fʌn /

noun

1. a source of enjoyment, amusement, diversion, etc
2. pleasure, gaiety, or merriment
3. jest or sport (esp in the phrases in or for fun )
4. fun and games facetious.
   amusement; frivolous activity
5. like fun informal.
   1. adverb quickly; vigorously
   2. interjection not at all! certainly not!
6. make fun of or poke fun at
   to ridicule or deride
7. modifier full of amusement, diversion, gaiety, etc

   a fun sport

verb

1. informal.
   intr to act in a joking or sporting manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of fun¹

First recorded in 1675–85; dialectal variant of obsolete fon “to befool”; fond ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of fun¹

C17: perhaps from obsolete fon to make a fool of; see fond ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. for / in fun, as a joke; not seriously; playfully:

   His insults were only in fun.

2. like fun, Informal. certainly not; of doubtful truth:

   He told us that he finished the exam in an hour. Like fun he did!

3. make fun of, to make the object of ridicule; deride:

   The youngsters made fun of their teacher.

More idioms and phrases containing fun

In addition to the idiom beginning with fun , also see for fun ; like fun ; make fun of ; more fun than a barrel of monkeys . Also see under funny .

Example Sentences

The inciting incident onstage — a school bully makes fun of the young girl’s condition, and her brother vengefully punches him in the face — is inspired by an actual anecdote.

From Los Angeles Times

He says it helps him stay in shape, and it’s fun to try new things.

From NewsForKids.net

“He’s a life coach. He’s changed my life. It’s fun seeing all these kids grow up through this staff. My dad hired a really good staff and it’s bigger than football with these guys.”

From Los Angeles Times

After the recent all-consuming election in the US, "people really need to disconnect from everything and have a bit of fun", he adds.

From BBC

Slapstick, for Beckett, who greatly admired Buster Keaton, wasn’t just good fun but a metaphor for our stumbling lives.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• celebration
• distraction
• enjoyment
• joke
• joy
• laughter
• pastime
• pleasure
• sport