Main Entry:

¹fun

Pronunciation:

\ˈfən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

English dialect fun to hoax, perhaps alteration of Middle English fonnen, from fonne dupe

Date:

1727

1: what provides amusement or enjoyment ; specifically : playful often boisterous action or speech <full of fun>2: a mood for finding or making amusement <all in fun>3 a: amusement, enjoyment <sickness takes all the fun out of life> b: derisive jest : sport, ridicule <a figure of fun>4: violent or excited activity or argument

synonyms fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter. fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose <played cards just for fun>. jest implies lack of earnestness in what is said or done and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing <hurt by remarks said only in jest>. sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone <teasing begun in sport led to anger>. game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun <made game of their poor relations>. play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief <pretended to strangle his brother in play>.