fun 1 of 3

fun

2 of 3

noun

1
2
as in play
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously when I said that playing the piano like that could get you arrested, I only said it in fun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

fun

3 of 3

verb

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For
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fun people
friendly people
cool people
happy people
festive people
fun appetizers
yummy appetizers
delicious appetizers
tasty appetizers
fancy appetizers
creative appetizers
fun neighborhoods
quirky neighborhoods
lively neighborhoods
trendy neighborhoods
charming neighborhoods
cool neighborhoods

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun fun differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fun are game, jest, play, and sport. While all these words 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

How do game and sport relate to one another, in the sense of fun?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When can jest be used instead of fun?

The words jest and fun can be used in similar contexts, but jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When might play be a better fit than fun?

In some situations, the words play and fun are roughly equivalent. However, play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

In what contexts can sport take the place of fun?

The synonyms sport and fun are sometimes interchangeable, but sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fun
Adjective
One of the fun parts of playing Delta Green is never knowing who to trust. Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025 Think of yourself as someone who makes our social media family a safe and fun place for everybody, that early job description read. Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
The pinkish-coral horizon of the morning had given way to a bright cobalt sky, and as the chopper descended after the fun ride, Ted and I were ready for terra firma, eager to sit down for lunch. John Malone, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025 This movie lets people tap back into that fun childhood stuff that everybody remembers and relives as an adult. Simon Bland, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fun
Adjective
  • More Getty Images What made his Saturday round at Sedgefield Country Club more amusing was the birdie surge.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Also, the British themselves are generally strange and amusing.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • The part of the celebrations that most interests my home entertainment channel, though, is the launch on October 7 of the film’s new 4K Blu-ray edition.
    John Archer, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Like his career in the entertainment industry, The White Lotus creator had an impressive run on the show’s 37th season that aired in 2018.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • There was no mention of when the play area might open, and a Fun City representative didn't immediately respond to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's inquiry.
    Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Each hunter class offers a unique play style that empowers players with signature abilities.
    Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Photos from the family vacation show all the kids having fun together, while the adults enjoy some relaxation in the Florida sunshine.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The primary suite is truly a retreat, featuring a steam shower, sauna, and sculptural soaking tub designed for serious relaxation.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Kernodle put up a fight, and the commotion got the attention of surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • There were two other roommates in the home at the time of the killings that both survived and reported seeing the suspect and hearing commotion that night.
    Gabe Whisnant Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo was in attendance for the premiere, and Taurasi joked that the 20-year-old wouldn’t know how to watch film that wasn’t in high definition.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Wilson joked, posting a carousel of photos with Marcus and the band, on Instagram.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • And then there’s Preserve, a delight for the taste buds where food preservation is central to the dining experience.
    Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The family lived modestly on a street in central Edinburgh that was full of delights for a curious child.
    Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Strawberry hit his 252 home runs with the Mets in 1,109 games over eight seasons.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The 52-year-old teaches youth confidence, discipline and focus through the game of golf.
    DJ Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fun. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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