play on words

American  

noun

1. a pun or the act of punning.

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play on words British  

noun

1. another term for pun 1

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play on words Idioms  

1. A word or turn of phrase with a double meaning, a pun or other humorous use of language. For example, Shakespeare was a master at plays on words—his dramas are full of puns. [First half of 1700s]

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Compare meaning

How does play-on-words compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• pun vs. play on words

Example Sentences

"Global Warning", a play on words about global warming, is divided into five sections spanning Parr's interests in leisure, consumption, tourism, animals, and technology.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

A play on words in Spanish, it could also be heard as “My Plans Are to Mars.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2025

From London's relatively straight-forward The Codfather to the more elaborately-named A Fish Called Rhondda in Pentre, Rhondda Cynon Taf, chip shop owners can't resist a play on words.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2023

Many users added a hash tag in Japanese, #BarbieNoKen, a play on words that translates to “The Barbie Incident.”

From New York Times • Aug. 1, 2023

The play on words here depends on ‘fact’ being both a synonym for ‘deed’ and ‘act’ but also a word used specifically for unlawful deeds and acts.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton