fun

1 of 3

noun

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
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

2 of 3

verb

funned; funning

intransitive verb

: to indulge in banter or play : joke

fun

3 of 3

adjective

sometimes funner; sometimes funnest
1
: providing entertainment, amusement, or enjoyment
a fun party
a fun person to be with
2
: full of fun : pleasant
have a fun time

Frequently Asked Questions

Is funner a word?

Yes, funner is a word, in spite of the fact that many people either wish it were not or believe that it isn’t. The comparative form of the adjective fun (meaning "more fun") has demonstrated widespread use over many decades and in a wide variety of published writing.

Is funnest a word?

Yes, funnest is a word, in spite of those that wish it were not. The superlative form of the adjective fun (meaning "most fun") has demonstrated widespread use over many decades, in a wide variety of published writing.

Is there a plural of fun?

Fun commonly functions as an adjective ("I had a fun time") and as a noun ("Let’s have some fun"), and somewhat less commonly as a verb ("I’m just funning you"). In its role as a noun the word is a noncount noun ("a noun that denotes a homogeneous substance or a concept without subdivisions and that in English is preceded in indefinite singular constructions by some rather than a or an"), and does not have a plural form.

Choose the Right Synonym for fun

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

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The music video shows some home footage of Maluma, whose real name is Juan Luis Londoño Arias, and Gomez having fun on trips together. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 25 Nov. 2023 Nordstrom, Dyson, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty are also getting in on the fun and offering $100 off all colorways of the Dyson Airwrap. Sarah Han november 25, Allure, 25 Nov. 2023 This toy is designed to specifically target the G-spot, with a compact curved shape and a wide, flat head for maximum internal fun. Jake Smith, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023 Pink leans into the silly, and Josh Heald's script pokes playful fun at all the classic time-travel movie tropes. Jennifer Ouellette and Sean M. Carroll, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2023 For colorful, fun suitcases and backpacks, head to State Bags for 25 percent off sitewide with the code BF2023. Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Nov. 2023 Rabanne Flower-disc chainmail shoulder bag Paco Rabanne’s chain link bags add an element of fun to any night out. Porter Simmons, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023 The kids had fun making a brownie sundae & all who ate commented how good the brownies were (& several took home the few that were left). Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023 Choosing a kit that’s safe, fun, and reflective of their interests is key. Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 22 Nov. 2023
Verb
From essential tools to fun accessories and everything in between. Jenna Clark, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2023 Of course, there are plenty of savings to be had on flights to fun domestic destinations, too, with affordable airfares to sunny desert retreats, ski resort havens, and charming beach towns. Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2023 Surprising almost no one, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is officially funning for U.S. Senate, hoping to be the Republican who challenges longtime incumbent Sherrod Brown. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 18 July 2023 The list touches on everything from practical must-haves to fun add-ons and creature comforts. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2023 Jennifer Aniston Says Late Parents Inspired Her Health Journey, Jokes 'My Friends Call Me Dr. Aniston' obé Fitness instructors make their exercises fun, engaging, welcoming, and best of all, judgment-free. Sarah Byron, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023 Wrap up your weekend of beachy keen holiday fun the 52nd annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2022 This is a tiny place that does really fun live music, serves Russian and Ukrainian food, and is always sure to be a good time. Ludwig Hurtado, Curbed, 7 Apr. 2022 The Etsy shop sells curated plant sets that will get beginners acquainted with gardening or introduce advanced gardeners to fun new plant options. Jacorey Moon, Good Housekeeping, 15 Nov. 2022
Adjective
Of course, Jennifer Lawrence and Kylie Jenner also talked about more fun topics like makeup. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2023 This kit includes math and spelling exercises, alongside shape puzzles, and fun games. Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2023 Hollywood, science fiction, and popular culture has imagined that moment for centuries—from the benign and fun, Alf and E.T., to the destructive, like the Alien franchise or Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Garrett M. Graff, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2023 Newer bean bag chair models are comfortable, durable, and fun places for kids to sit and lounge. Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 25 Nov. 2023 Who knew brown butter could be such a fun secret ingredient. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023 Balenciaga Neo Bazar striped leather tote bag Balenciaga’s striped tote adds a fun element to a simple look. Porter Simmons, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023 Entertainment Score: 7 Science Score: 9 Arrival (2016) Enlarge / Denis Villeneuve's first foray into sci-fi offers a fun twist on the ancient idea of prophesy or predestination. Jennifer Ouellette and Sean M. Carroll, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2023 These days, Stephanie's costume is a fun game of dress-up for her daughter, Mica, who posted on X about trying on the iconic uniform. Jacklyn Krol, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fun.' 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, Verb, and Adjective

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

First Known Use

Noun

1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1802, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fun was in 1726

Dictionary Entries Near fun

Cite this Entry

“Fun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fun. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

fun

1 of 3 noun
1
: someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment
the twins were fun to have around
picnics are great fun
2
: a good time : amusement, enjoyment
have fun
plays cards just for fun
3
: words or actions that make someone or something an object of unkind laughter
kids making fun of me

fun

2 of 3 verb
funned; funning
: to engage in joking or play
I was only funning

fun

3 of 3 adjective
1
: providing fun
a fun party
a fun person
2
: full of fun : pleasant sense 1
have a fun time

More from Merriam-Webster on fun

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!