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

“Hella fun,” Johnson said of having a target of Mara’s size.

From Los Angeles Times

What is a fun and daring feat for young people is a source of much-needed revenue in a province that was only recently lifted out of poverty.

From BBC

The comment left viewers at home unsure whether Willmon was making a distasteful remark at Shaboozey or making fun of his name.

From Salon

It’s about bringing people together in a way by poking fun at everyone at the same time.

From Los Angeles Times

“You have to embrace your evolution and understand that the torch has to be passed. Like Chuck D told me, ‘At this point, if you’re not having fun, you did all this for nothing.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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