fun

[fuhn]

noun

1. something that provides mirth or amusement.

   A picnic would be fun.

   Synonyms: gaiety, play, pleasure, merriment

2. enjoyment or playfulness.

   She's full of fun.

   Synonyms: gaiety, play, pleasure, merriment

verb (used with or without object)

funned, funning 

1. Informal.,  joke; kid.

adjective

funner, funnest 

1. Informal.,  of or relating to fun, especially to social fun.

   a fun thing to do; really a fun person; the funnest game.

2. Informal.,  whimsical; flamboyant.

   The fashions this year are definitely on the fun side.

fun

/ fʌn /

noun

1. a source of enjoyment, amusement, diversion, etc

2. pleasure, gaiety, or merriment

3. jest or sport (esp in the phrases in or for fun )

4. facetious,  amusement; frivolous activity

5. informal

   1. (adverb) quickly; vigorously

   2. (interjection) not at all! certainly not!

6. to ridicule or deride

7. (modifier) full of amusement, diversion, gaiety, etc

   a fun sport

verb

1. informal,  (intr) to act in a joking or sporting manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of fun¹

First recorded in 1675–85; dialectal variant of obsolete fon “to befool”; fond ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of fun¹

C17: perhaps from obsolete fon to make a fool of; see _fond ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. for / in fun, as a joke; not seriously; playfully.

   His insults were only in fun.

2. make fun of, to make the object of ridicule; deride.

   The youngsters made fun of their teacher.

3. like fun, certainly not; of doubtful truth.

   He told us that he finished the exam in an hour. Like fun he did!

More idioms and phrases containing fun

• for fun
• funny
• like fun
• make fun of
• more fun than a barrel of monkeys

Example Sentences

“It’s going to be really competitive and really fun,” Cantwell said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“What’s the alternative?” the ad asks, “lightening up and being fun?”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It’s been such a fun season. It’s sad that it’s over.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"When you see her at industry events, she is her TV persona. She's the best friend you'd love to have. She's fun, empathetic, understanding, sharp, and those qualities exude from the screen."

Read more on BBC

After an hour, they disappear into a crowded bar, but we had our fun.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• celebration 
• distraction 
• enjoyment 
• joke 
• joy 
• laughter 
• pastime 
• pleasure 
• sport