noun
Uncommon
pun
puhn
Pun (noun) means a joke that plays on a word's different meanings or on words that sound alike. Example: “He can never resist a bad pun.”
noun
1
A joke that plays on a word's different meanings or on words that sound alike.
"He can never resist a bad pun."
""A bicycle can't stand on its own because it's two-tired" is a classic pun."
verb
1
To make a joke by playing on the sound or meaning of words.
"She punned on his name all afternoon."
How to use pun
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA play on words, often groan-worthy.
Common pairings
make a pun
no pun intended
terrible pun
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Word forms
- Plural
- puns
- Third person singular
- puns
- Past tense
- punned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He can never resist a bad _____.
Etymology
Likely derived from an older word meaning "to pound" or "beat," from the idea of hammering words together.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pun” mean?
The word “pun” means a joke that plays on a word's different meanings or on words that sound alike. In plain terms, a play on words, often groan-worthy.
How do you pronounce “pun”?
“Pun” is pronounced puhn (/pʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “pun” in a sentence?
Here is “pun” used in a sentence: “He can never resist a bad pun.”
What part of speech is “pun”?
Depending on how it is used, “pun” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “pun” a common word?
“Pun” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pun” have?
“Pun” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a joke that plays on a word's different meanings or on words that sound alike.
What is the difference between a pun and a regular joke?
A pun is a specific type of joke that gets its humor from a word having two meanings or from words that sound alike, rather than from a story or situation. A regular joke can be funny for many reasons, but a pun always depends on this kind of wordplay.
Is pun used as a verb as well as a noun?
Yes, pun works as both. As a noun it names the joke itself, and as a verb it describes the act of making that kind of joke, as in 'to pun on a word's meaning'.
Why do puns often make people groan instead of laugh?
Puns rely on a play on words rather than genuine surprise or storytelling, so the humor can feel forced or overly clever once the listener spots the wordplay. This predictable structure is why puns are often met with mock groans even when people find them amusing.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing pun in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
A pun exploits a word carrying two meanings at once, and the groan it produces is part of the point.
From
Pranksters
