pun

¹pun

noun \ˈpən\

Definition of PUN

: 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

Examples of PUN

1. The delicatessen is sandwiched, if you'll pardon the pun, between two stores.
2. She's a skillful pilot whose career has—no pun intended—really taken off.

Origin of PUN

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

First Known Use: 1662

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with PUN

bun, done, dun, fen, fun, gun, hon, Hun, jun, maun, none, nun, one, run, shun, son, stun, sun, sunn, ton, tonne, tun, won

²pun

intransitive verb

punnedpun·ning

Definition of PUN

: to make puns

Examples of PUN

1. “Firefighting sparks my interest,” he punned.

First Known Use of PUN

1670

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile