fun 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of funnext
as in amusing
providing amusement or enjoyment there were so many fun things to do at summer camp that the kids really hated to leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fun

2 of 3

noun

ˈfən How to pronounce fun (audio)
1
as in entertainment
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment theme parks with their rides, shows, and games are great fun for the whole family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself came outside to where we were playing touch football and joined the fun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity the fun really began when the deer broke out of its pen and started wandering down the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fun

3 of 3

verb

as in to joke
to make jokes just a couple of old friends funning with each other

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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
Here's another fun fact; in 1882, the first vaudeville theater in the country also opened in Chicago. —Dana Kozlov, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026 It's been fun to watch as many 100-year old businesses have gotten in on the action. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
This fun, beginner-friendly class teaches the fundamentals of Texas Hold’em, giving you the confidence to join a friendly game. —Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026 Gal Gadot and friends enjoy a day of fun at the Sloomoo Institute in Los Angeles. —Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fun
  1. amusing
  2. entertainment
  3. play
  4. relaxation
  5. commotion
  6. joke
  7. enjoyable
  8. delight
Adjective
  • Each episode features amusing sit-downs with students from Brooklyn Elementary School in Comox, British Columbia.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Director Scott Ellis understands all this, and thus the admirably specific physical business and slurred verbosity in his gently outré revival really makes for quite the amusing diversion.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of amusing
Noun
  • Shopping, dining, and entertainment are on tap at the village-like Shops at Kukuiʻula, where residents will find boutiques with upscale global brands as well as island designers, fine dining restaurants and casual eateries, weekly farmers markets, and occasional live music.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Thousands of actors, directors, writers and other entertainment workers have signed an open letter opposing the deal, arguing that further consolidation of the media industry will hurt creators and consumers.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • The second half featured both teams coming up with big plays until Denver went cold down the stretch.
    — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • But the umpires ruled the play still live and Antonacci ran around the bases for a two-run, inside-the-park home run.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Definition of play
Noun
  • The Spa The 7,000-square-foot spa has seven treatment rooms and seven private relaxation spaces and is indulgent in every sense.
    — Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026
  • The Deep Sleep Superblend of lavender, chamomile and vetivert relieves stress, supporting relaxation and promoting restful sleep.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Definition of relaxation
Noun
  • The commotion awakened the victim’s mother, who rushed in, causing the suspect to burst out of the home and flee, authorities said.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Earlier, Kahramanmaras Governor Mukerrem Unluer had said the shooter had shot and killed himself in the commotion.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of commotion
Verb
  • Don’t ignore it or joke past it.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Oliver joked that, between the global search for Air Bud and a crowdfunding investment campaign in support of the film, Vince not only had no dog but also had no money.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026
Definition of joke
Adjective
  • Big Tech lawsuits, such as the one coming out of California, shift blame away from guardians to tech companies who are simply making their products maximally enjoyable.
    — Maggie Anders, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
  • But there is something enjoyable — again, exciting — about this kind of showing off.
    — Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Definition of enjoyable
Noun
  • Reupping your Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter is more of a delight than a slog, and the refills are pretty enough to sit on the shelf at Sephora or be featured in an influencer’s product flatlay.
    — Kara McGrath, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Endlessly Quotable • Peak Patinkin There are few films with a higher delight-to-runtime ratio than The Princess Bride.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of delight

Phrases Containing fun

Browse Nearby Words

fuming
fun
fun and games
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Cite this Entry

“Fun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fun. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fun

Nglish: Translation of fun for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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