I. pun1 /pʌn/
noun [countable][
Date: 1600-1700;
Origin: Probably from pundigrion 'pun' (17-19 centuries), perhaps from Italian puntiglio; ⇒ punctilious]
an amusing use of a word or phrase that has two meanings, or of words that have the same sound but different meanings
Synonym : play on wordsforgive/excuse/pardon the pun (=used to show you know you are making a pun)no pun intended (=used to show you do not mean to make a joke about something)
The clergy prey (no pun intended) on bereaved families. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
joke a funny story that you tell people to make them laugh:
We all sat around telling jokes. Have you heard the joke about the man who found a frog in his soup?funny story a short story that someone tells to make people laugh:
He was one of those guys who are good at telling funny stories at dinner parties.gag a short joke, especially one told by a professional entertainer:
He’s a great comedian, with plenty of good gags.one-liner a very short joke or funny remark:
There are some memorable one-liners in the film.wisecrack a funny remark or reply, especially one that is said in a very quick and clever way:
It’s a comic masterpiece, packed with classic wisecracks.pun (
also play on words) a joke made by mixing up two different meanings of the same word, or two words with the same sound:
a pun on the words ‘bear’ and ‘bare’ The title of the book is a witty play on words. Shakespeare used a lot of puns for comic effect.quip written something funny and clever that someone says:
He made some friendly quip about hair loss, and everyone laughed. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲