pun

1 of 2

noun

ˈpən 

: 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

Did you know?

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

Those of us in the world of data centers are already feeling the heat (no pun intended) from AI. —Aparna Prabhakar, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

It’s clearly meant as a playful joke, but Stephanie takes offense, which is rich (no pun intended) coming from her after the gross way she’s been flexing her wealth this whole episode. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 July 2025

Verb

Of course, Urinetown does deliver on all the lowbrow punning that starts with the title, but the show does contain plenty of cleverness, and reveals as much earnest heart as Gen-Xers might’ve allowed themselves in the late ’90s. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025

Mel tells Jack that her day was rocky (a punning Mel is my favorite Mel) and takes him to the place Everett showed her: a field near a waterfall where her mom planted wildflowers during her visit following Chloe's death. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024

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

Rhymes for pun

• bun
• done
• dun
• fun
• gun
• hun
• jun
• none
• nun
• one
• run
• shun

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