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
For more than 20 years, our Q&A has hosted conversations about how to make your home comfortable, stylish, organized and fun. Jura Koncius, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023 Threshold Small Pumpkin Serving Bowl Get your kitchen in on the fall fun with this pumpkin serving bowl from Threshold. Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2023 Find it: Camelback Mountain, 301 Resort Drive, Tannersville, PA Whistler Blackcomb At Whistler Blackcomb, some of North America's most serious skiing is paired with serious fun for young visitors. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023 Still, that’s not to say there’s no fun for the maximalists. Madeline Fass, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2023 Whether the salad is the star of your table or just the appetizer, these recipes will ensure that eating your vegetables is a fun (and anticipated) mealtime habit for everyone—kids included. Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2023 The couple’s two kids will also get in on the fun, with four-year-old Kulture voicing Kulture Sharki and 18-month-old Wave making his debut as Wavey Shark. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2023 Their 10th National League West title in 11 years clinched more than a week ago and their first playoff game still almost two weeks away, the Dodgers mixed in a Sunday fun day before a fan-appreciation-day crowd of 48,315 in Chavez Ravine. Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2023 Rams make fun statement in fierce battle with 49ers 1 hour ago Rookie receiver Puka Nacua caught 15 passes for 147 yards, becoming the first player in NFL history to amass more than 100 yards receiving and catch 10 more passes in each of his first two games. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2023
Verb
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 That aspect has been great to see and fun to work with as well. Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 30 June 2022 From festive baskets to fun collectable toys, Easter gifts require a lot of details and there is no better way to get everything together than some online shopping. Victoria Priola, oregonlive, 25 Mar. 2022
Adjective
Nina's Familia promises to be a welcome and fun addition to your child's learning that also honors the Latine culture in beautiful ways. Tanay Howard, Parents, 28 Sep. 2023 Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow Hourglass’s Scattered Light Eyeshadow is a fun date night accessory thanks to a swash of sparkle that’s easy to apply: just a few dabs of product onto your eyelid, and the pearls will reflect light beautifully. Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 28 Sep. 2023 If Kelce wants to remain in his fun fashion era, let him—and enjoy the spectacle. Nick Remsen, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2023 In addition to gray, black, and white options, the knee-high socks also come in fun bright colors. Talia Ergas, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023 Additionally, they’re known for their iconic charm bracelets — which are certainly on-trend right now — and a fun way to start a jewelry collection. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2023 So it's been fun coming from small-town Alaska to be in a city with lots of stuff going on, music, art and all that. Simone Manuel, Glamour, 26 Sep. 2023 On another note, in 2020 at the Australian Open, Williams reminded us that a fun manicure isn’t reserved for fancy occasions– thanks to her rainbow-jeweled claws. Essence, 26 Sep. 2023 Dressing up furniture by mixing and matching throw pillows and blankets is a fun way to decorate your home. Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 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 4 Oct. 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
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