pun

1 of 2

noun

: the usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound

pun

2 of 2

verb

punned; punning

intransitive verb

: to make puns

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What is the Difference Between a double entendre and a pun?

The words double entendre and pun are both about double meanings. Double entendre, in fact, originated in an obsolete expression in French, which means “double meaning.” The origins of pun are less certain, but it likely traces to the Italian word puntiglio meaning “fine point, quibble.” In English, double entendre refers to a double meaning in which one meaning is usually shocking or risqué in its sexual suggestiveness. Pun usually has more to do with silly or humorous double meanings than with anything sexually suggestive or lewd.

Examples of pun in a Sentence

Noun The delicatessen is sandwiched, if you'll pardon the pun, between two stores. She's a skillful pilot whose career has—no pun intended—really taken off. Verb “Firefighting sparks my interest,” he punned.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
From there things seemed to be smooth sailing, with all the dad jokes, costume puns, clue packages, and performances (good and bad) fans have come to expect from the show. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 One of the top puns top guns was Darren Cunningham, of Kearny Mesa. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 It’s been spotted (pun intended) on Jennifer Lopez, the Kardashians, Shania Twain, and more, while also being showcased in 2023 and 2024 collections from designers like Michael Kors, Dolce and Gabbana. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2024 Under the guidance of Andrew Keeton, high school students can act (pun intended) upon their interest in the film and performance industry. Kate Cassada, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Another says her family always goes out to eat at IHOP, citing her dad's love of puns. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Feb. 2024 While some understand the word as referring to an admirable person who is at the center of many inspiring stories, Swin Cash just may be in a league—no pun intended—of her own. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 7 Feb. 2024 While Twitter was far from perfect, people flocked (no pun intended) to the platform. Saira Mueller, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024 As the years have gone by, artists and writers have leaned more and more heavily into the darker aspects of Batman’s persona, but there was also a lighter side in the earlier comics, a world of giant props, banter, and puns that made Batman and Robin beloved by their readers. Josh Weiss, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Verb
Favorite Hobbies: Reading (favorite genres: fantasy, science fiction and romance), running, playing pick-up soccer, crossword puzzling, and punning. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2023 But the Japanese embassy in Washington moved decisively to reassure the public, while revealing its staff are also fans who are not above punning on Swift songs in public statements. CBS News, 3 Feb. 2024 That’s one insider reference too many (Everett puns incessantly), but these facile jazz, blues, Invisible Man, even Flannery O’Connor stunts don’t really land for a culturally illiterate generation. Armond White, National Review, 15 Dec. 2023 Enter Email Sign Up The book’s punning title references bacteria and viruses, the vaccines designed to combat them, and such conspiratorial imaginings as Bill Gates’s mythical vaccine nanochip. Julia M. Klein, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023 Appropriately enough, the system takes its punning name from a Surrealist painter, since DALL-E 2 is ideally trimmed to make soft watches and derby hats on dogs and trains racing out of fireplaces. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2023 Here are some themes and strains (pun cautiously intended) that caught my attention. Martha Schwendener, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2020 Das Leek Neill collaborates — remotely — with fellow actor Steven Weber in a punning short film. Clark Collis, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2020 Has Trump punned about Kamala Harris not coming out of an elevator alive? Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, 27 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pun.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps from Italian puntiglio fine point, quibble — more at punctilio

First Known Use

Noun

1644, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1670, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pun was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near pun

Cite this Entry

“Pun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pun. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pun

noun
ˈpən
: the humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest different meanings or of words having the same sound but different meanings
pun verb

More from Merriam-Webster on pun

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