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 end of the year marks the return of eggnog and latkes, gifting and regifting — and holiday-themed shows to bask in tradition, communal spirit and, yes, fun.

From New York Times

“We wanted to make sure that nothing we do is too silly,” said Mancina, who worked on both songs, “but that it’s still really fun.”

From Los Angeles Times

They said the officer told them she believed Lillienfeld targeted Asian and Black students with off-color jokes, once calling the only two Asian students “Chinamen” and repeatedly making fun of a woman’s name.

From Los Angeles Times

There is concern about the blurring of lines between training programmes for the most talented young players aiming to make it to the professional game and those offering a more inclusive, fun environment.

From BBC

“What was old is new again. You know what YouTube was in the beginning? It was sketch comedy. It was supposed to be fun and funny and not just viral moments.”

From New York Times

Related Words

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