funny
FUH-nee
Funny (adj) means causing laughter or amusement. Example: “My brother is so funny that he makes the whole family laugh at dinner.”
adj
1
Causing laughter or amusement.
"My brother is so funny that he makes the whole family laugh at dinner."
"The comedian told a really funny joke about airline food."
"It was a funny movie that had the whole audience laughing."
2
Strange, odd, or suspicious.
"I heard a funny noise coming from the engine this morning."
"There's something funny about the way he's been acting lately."
"The milk tastes a bit funny — I think it's gone off."
noun
1
A joke or amusing remark.
"He's always got a funny to tell at the office."
"That was a good funny, and the whole room laughed."
"She opened her talk with a funny about her terrible cooking."
How to use funny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "makes you laugh" or "odd/suspicious" — the two senses look identical but mean quite different things.
Common mistake
"Funny" meaning "strange" is not always negative, but it often signals mild suspicion or unease, unlike "funny" meaning "amusing."
Common pairings
funny story
funny business
funny feeling
funny how
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Word forms
- Plural
- funnies
- Comparative
- funnier
- Superlative
- funniest
Fill the gap
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My brother is so _____ that he makes the whole family laugh at dinner.
Etymology
From "fun" plus the adjective suffix "-y," first recorded in the 1700s.
Class of 1700
funny joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Synonyms
View more →
witty
entertaining
amusing
chucklesome
comedic
comic
comical
droll
filarious
frolicsome
gut-busting
funnisome
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for funny
See all rhymes for funny →Frequently asked questions
What does “funny” mean?
The word “funny” means causing laughter or amusement. In plain terms, either "makes you laugh" or "odd/suspicious" — the two senses look identical but mean quite different things.
How do you pronounce “funny”?
“Funny” is pronounced FUH-nee (/ˈfʌni/ in IPA).
How do you use “funny” in a sentence?
Here is “funny” used in a sentence: “The comedian told a really funny joke about airline food.”
What is another word for “funny”?
Words with a similar meaning to “funny” include amusing, chucklesome, comedic, comic, comical and droll.
What is the opposite of “funny”?
The opposite of “funny” — its antonyms — is humorless.
What part of speech is “funny”?
Depending on how it is used, “funny” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “funny” come from?
The word “funny” dates back to around 1700. From "fun" plus the adjective suffix "-y," first recorded in the 1700s.
Is “funny” a common word?
“Funny” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'funny ha-ha' and 'funny strange'?
Funny has two everyday meanings. Funny ha-ha means amusing or laughter-causing. Funny peculiar, or funny strange, means odd, unusual, or slightly off, as in the milk tastes funny. Context usually makes it clear, but people sometimes ask 'ha-ha or peculiar?' to be sure which one is meant.
What is the difference between funny and humorous?
Both mean amusing, but the tone differs. Funny is casual and covers anything that makes you laugh, from a joke to a silly face. Humorous is more formal and often describes something cleverly or gently amusing, like a humorous essay. Funny is stronger and more everyday; humorous is milder.
What is the opposite of funny?
In the amusing sense, opposites include serious, dull, boring, and unfunny. In the strange sense, the opposite is normal or ordinary. So a comedy that falls flat is unfunny, while something that seems perfectly usual is the opposite of funny meaning odd or peculiar.
Is 'funny' a formal or informal word?
Funny is an informal, everyday word, suitable for casual speech and writing. In more formal contexts, writers often choose humorous, amusing, or witty instead. That said, funny is widely understood and perfectly acceptable in most situations; it simply carries a relaxed, conversational tone.
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