Funny Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
funny
[หfสni ]
Definitions
describing a person or thing
causing laughter or amusement; humorous
Synonyms
amusing, comical, entertaining, humorous.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| funny |
Use when something makes you laugh without being too serious or formal.
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| amusing |
Used for something that is pleasant to watch or experience because it is interesting and makes you smile.
|
| humorous |
Used for something that is funny in a clever or witty way. Often associated with jokes, stories or comments that require a bit of thought.
|
| comical |
Refers to something that is funny in an odd or exaggerated way, often used to describe actions or situations.
|
| entertaining |
Describes something that holds your attention because it is fun or enjoyable, without necessarily being funny.
|
Examples of usage
- She always tells funny jokes at parties.
- The comedian's funny performance had everyone laughing.
describing an action or behavior
in a way that provokes laughter or amusement; humorously
Examples of usage
- She acted funny to cheer up her friend.
- He always speaks funny to make people laugh.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Laughter is known to release endorphins, which promote a feeling of well-being.
- Humor plays an essential role in social bonding, helping people connect and maintain relationships.
- Studies show that individuals who have a good sense of humor tend to cope better with stress and adversity.
Pop Culture
- Stand-up comedy became a major entertainment form in the 20th century, with comedians using humor to address social issues.
- Popular TV shows like 'Friends' and 'The Office' use humor to explore everyday life, becoming cultural benchmarks.
- Internet memes capitalize on humor to create viral content, proving that laughter is a powerful communication tool online.
Literature
- Humor has been an essential aspect of literature, with writers like Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde using wit to critique society.
- Comic relief in stories serves to lighten the mood, making serious themes more accessible.
- The genre of parody mimics and exaggerates styles or genres to evoke laughter, often highlighting their absurdities.
Science
- Research indicates that children as young as 4 months can recognize funny sounds and facial expressions.
- The 'incongruity theory' suggests that humor arises when thereโs a mismatch between expectations and reality.
- Laughter can be contagious; when one person laughs, it often triggers others to join in, fostering group cohesion.
Origin of 'funny'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'funny' comes from the late 19th century and originally meant 'strange' or 'odd'.
- It has roots in the word 'fun', which is linked to enjoyment and amusement.
- In the 20th century, its meaning shifted primarily to describe things that provoke laughter.
The word 'funny' has Old English origins, derived from the word 'fun,' which meant 'jester' or 'fool.' Over time, 'funny' evolved to describe something that causes laughter or amusement. The use of 'funny' to mean 'humorous' became popular in the 18th century, and it has since become a common adjective to describe things that are amusing or comical.