fun

noun

\ ˈfən

Definition of fun

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

3a : amusement, enjoyment sickness takes all the fun out of life play games for fun

b : derisive jest : sport, ridicule a figure of fun They made fun of the way he talked.

4 : violent or excited activity or argument Insults were exchanged and then the fun began.

fun

verb

funned; funning

Definition of fun (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to indulge in banter or play : joke

fun

adjective

sometimes funner; sometimes funnest

Definition of fun (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : providing entertainment, amusement, or enjoyment a fun party a fun person to be with

2 : full of fun : pleasant have a fun time

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Can something be funner or funnest? More Example Sentences Learn More about fun

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Choose the Right Synonym for fun

Noun

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 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

Can something be funner or funnest?

Adjective

Fun is a word which many people find does not live up to its definition, especially when it is used as an adjective (meaning “full of fun” or “amusing, enjoyable, pleasant”). In fact, there is a sizable portion of the English-speaking world which does not consider fun to be a proper adjective at all; these people feel that it is only a noun, which is why you sometimes hear that you should write “it was so much fun,” rather than “it was so fun.” It thereby stands to reason that if fun is not an adjective, it should not be used in the comparative and superlative forms of funner and funnest.

However, we do provide a definition for the adjectival use of fun, due to the fact that it has been used in such a fashion since at least the mid-1800s. We also list funner and funnest as comparative and superlative forms, due to the fact that these words are often employed in this manner (although we recognize that there are some who accept fun as an adjective, but feel that “more fun” and “most fun” are preferable). Including funner and funnest is not a directive that you should use these forms; it is a recognition of their existence, and you should feel free to use them or avoid them, as you see fit.

Examples of fun in a Sentence

Noun

I can't remember when I've had so much fun. Sickness takes all the fun out of life.

Verb

He's just funning with you. just a couple of old friends funning with each other

Adjective

Our vacation was a fun time. She's a fun person to be with. The park is a fun place to visit. We had a fun time at the movie.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Reach out and find new kindred spirits to network with and have fun with. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, "Horoscope for Aug. 16, 2019: Happy birthday Cameron Monaghan; Sagittarius, connect with many new people," 16 Aug. 2019 Over the weekend, Panthers coach Ron Rivera had some fun with Bills coach Sean McDermott, sending a screenshot of the heat index in Spartanburg, South Carolina. — Jeff Martin And Jay Reeves, chicagotribune.com, "Dreadful heat, humidity invade South as misery continues," 15 Aug. 2019 But Innisfree is just having a little fun with the Greeks, who make up a portion of their clientele. — Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, "Watch this Tuscaloosa bar’s latest hilarious spoof of sorority recruitment videos," 15 Aug. 2019 Over the weekend, Panthers coach Ron Rivera had some fun with Bills coach Sean McDermott, sending a screenshot of the heat index in Spartanburg, South Carolina. — Washington Post, "Dreadful heat, humidity invade South as misery continues," 13 Aug. 2019 Have some fun with details, like choosing an ankle-strap pump to peek out from the side split for a playful touch to your office look. — Tyler Joe, Marie Claire, "How to Style Side Split Jeans," 12 Aug. 2019 People say that leaning into fun and frivolity is its own balm to tragedy. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "What it’s like to feel fear while attending festivals in 2019," 12 Aug. 2019 Not all presidents were pranksters, but all of them have needed vacations, or time off to let loose and have fun, with their families and friends. — Dara Elasfar, Twin Cities, "Even presidents need a taste of freedom on summer vacations," 9 Aug. 2019 Many of the best designs in Magat’s archive have been re-issued—including the ode to Mr Berner-Lee—though the new tees are just as fun and collectible. — Alex Frank, Vogue, "This London Anti-Brand Is Making the Coolest Collectible Summer T-Shirts," 8 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Offerings range from classics like chicken milanese and bucatini carbonara, to fun new combinations like farro risotto and roasted shrimp with ajo blanco sauce. — SELF, "The Best Meal-Kit Delivery Services to Try in 2019," 1 Jan. 2019 Orca that carried dead, decomposing calf for weeks now returns to fun with friends. — Fox News, "FOX NEWS FIRST: Clues in stolen plane mystery; Omarosa's secret White House recording sparks security concerns," 13 Aug. 2018 But here are some top spots to visit and fun things to do with your best friend. — Lainey Seyler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "8 places you can bring your dog around Milwaukee this summer," 16 May 2018 Wide-open acceleration might fun, but slowing down that speeding hunk of metal is much more important. — Alex Leanse, Popular Mechanics, "10 Tire and Brake Problems All Drivers Need to Know," 23 Feb. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Meghan and Harry joined Will and Kate for a fun family day of polo last month. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE.com, "See Kate Middleton and Prince William's Birthday Message to Meghan Markle — Complete with Emoji!," 5 Aug. 2019 Those couples who make it through the drama and come out strong the other side are often the most fun part of the show: The ones to root for, and to 'ship after the show ends. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Which Couples Get Engaged on 'Bachelor In Paradise' Season 6?," 4 Aug. 2019 Trivia Night at Buffo's Restaurant: Bring family and friends every Monday night for a fun trivia night. — chicagotribune.com, "Calendar: Learn about beekeeping Tuesday in Lake Forest," 4 Aug. 2019 Wouldn’t that be a fun project for your next dinner with friends? — Julia O'malley, Anchorage Daily News, "How Alaska Eats: 13 Alaska wild berry recipes," 3 Aug. 2019 In 20 years, Litquake has helped lay a foundation, in an extremely fun and educational fashion, of success and sustainability for all independent bookstores and publishers in the Bay Area. — Catherine Bigelow, SFChronicle.com, "At 20, Litquake sends a message ‘Godfather’ fans can’t refuse," 2 Aug. 2019 Ogg returned to join Cho at the harpsichord for a four-handed Mozart Sonata that was the most unabashedly fun adventure of the evening. — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, "Review: Early Music Festival brings fresh energy to old sounds," 2 Aug. 2019 Zombies ruin a fun school trip in the new trailer for Little Monsters. — Sydney Scott, Essence, "Lupita Nyong'o Is A Zombie-Fighting Teacher In The New Trailer For 'Little Monsters'," 1 Aug. 2019 On the fun side, one of the new fair attractions this year will be including some of the home economics items in the auction normally reserved for the animals. — Ramona Sentinel, "Fair administrator’s reward is seeing children learn and grow," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fun.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.