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pun vs. play on words

pun
[puhn] / pʌn /

noun

  • puns
    plural
  1. the humorous use of a word or phrase so as to emphasize or suggest its different meanings or applications, or the use of words that are alike or nearly alike in sound but different in meaning; a play on words.

  2. the word or phrase used in this way.

verb (used without object)

  • puns,
    present (3rd person singular)
  • punned,
    past participle,  past
  • punning
    present participle
  1. to make puns.

noun

  1. a pun or the act of punning.