funny bone

noun

1

: the place at the back of the elbow where the ulnar nerve rests against a prominence of the humerus

2

: a sense of humor

Examples of funny bone in a Sentence

I hit my funny bone on the edge of the table.

Recent Examples on the Web

As youngsters, O’Hara was proud that her sons inherited her funny bone. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 30 Jan. 2026

After years of dour and dire dramas, the festival rediscovered its funny bone with a lineup that featured broadly appealing comedies. —Brent Lang, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026

If Unfunny Bunny really tickles readers' funny bones? —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

There are also plenty of films to tickle your funny bone, like Austin Powers, Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Daddy Day Care, and more, all landing on October 1. Also landing on Netflix throughout the month are new seasons of The Diplomat, Love is Blind, and Nobody Wants This. —Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from the tingling felt when it is struck

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for funny bone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids Definition

funny bone

noun

1

: a place at the back of the elbow where a blow causes a painful tingling sensation

2

: a sense of humor

it tickled my funny bone

Medical Definition

funny bone

noun

fun·​ny bone ˈfən-ē-ˌ 

: the place at the back of the elbow where the ulnar nerve rests against a prominence of the humerus

called also crazy bone