Pun: meaning, definitions and examples

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pun

[pʌn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

joke

A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings.

Synonyms

double entendre, play on words, wordplay.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pun	Used in casual conversations, jokes, or headlines to create a humorous effect by exploiting different meanings of words or homophones. Have you heard about the mathematician who’s afraid of negative numbers? He will stop at nothing to avoid them. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
wordplay	Used in writing styles like poetry, puns, and riddles to entertain or engage the audience by being clever with the language. The title of the book 'Life of Pi' is a play on words involving the mathematical term 'pi' and the protagonist’s name, Pi. In Alice in Wonderland, the Mock Turtle’s song is full of playful wordplay: ‘Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance?’
play on words	Used in creative writing, advertising, and conversations where the speaker wants to be clever by exploiting the multiple meanings of words or similar-sounding words. The furniture store keeps lumbering along, never missing a sale. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
double entendre	Used in literature, comedy scripts, or everyday conversation to create humor or ambiguity by using a phrase that can be understood in two ways, often with one interpretation that is risqué or inappropriate. In the movie 'The Naked Gun,' the character says, 'Nice beaver,' while referring to a stuffed beaver the woman is holding. The chef gave her a hot dog, which had a double entendre meaning that could be taken in more than one way.

Examples of usage

He's great at puns, always making everyone laugh.
The pun in that sentence was so clever!

^{Context #2 | Verb}

make a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word

To make a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings.

Synonyms

make a wordplay joke, play on words.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pun	A pun is a humorous way of using a word so that more than one meaning is suggested. It's often used in casual conversations and in creative writing to add humor or wit. I went to a seafood disco last week... and pulled a mussel. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
play on words	A play on words is a form of wit in which the words that are used become the main subject of the work, primarily for the purpose of intended effect or amusement. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal settings to describe clever or amusing use of language. A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired. How do you organize a space party? You planet.
make a wordplay joke	To make a wordplay joke means to create a joke that exploits the different meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. This phrase is often used in a similar context as 'pun', especially in humorous writing or speech. Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything. Did you hear about the mathematician who’s afraid of negative numbers? He will stop at nothing to avoid them.

Word

Description / Examples

pun

A pun is a humorous way of using a word so that more than one meaning is suggested. It's often used in casual conversations and in creative writing to add humor or wit.

I went to a seafood disco last week... and pulled a mussel.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

play on words

A play on words is a form of wit in which the words that are used become the main subject of the work, primarily for the purpose of intended effect or amusement. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal settings to describe clever or amusing use of language.

A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired.
How do you organize a space party? You planet.

make a wordplay joke

To make a wordplay joke means to create a joke that exploits the different meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. This phrase is often used in a similar context as 'pun', especially in humorous writing or speech.

Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.
Did you hear about the mathematician who’s afraid of negative numbers? He will stop at nothing to avoid them.

Examples of usage

She punned on the word 'sole' to create a hilarious joke.
His ability to pun in multiple languages is impressive.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'pun' comes from the Italian word 'punctum,' which means 'to make a point.'
It first appeared in English literature in the 16th century, showing how long people have enjoyed this type of humor.

Literature

Shakespeare is famous for using many puns in his plays, adding cleverness and humor to his characters.
The use of puns can often reveal deeper meanings or themes in poetry and prose, engaging readers on multiple levels.

Psychology

Humor from puns can trigger the release of endorphins, helping to lighten a mood and create social bonds.
Research shows that enjoying puns can indicate flexible thinking and creativity, as it requires seeing multiple meanings at once.

Pop Culture

Puns are a staple in modern comedy and are often used in television shows, memes, and stand-up performances.
Many brand names use puns to create memorable advertising slogans, helping products stand out in a crowded market.

Communication

Using puns in conversation can make interactions more engaging and entertaining, often leaving people with a smile.
Puns often rely on homophones—words that sound the same but have different meanings—which makes them a playful linguistic tool.

Translations

Translations of the word "pun" in other languages:

🇵🇹 piada

🇮🇳 मज़ाक

🇩🇪 Witz

🇮🇩 lelucon

🇺🇦 жарт

🇵🇱 żart

🇯🇵 ジョーク

🇫🇷 blague

🇪🇸 chiste

🇹🇷 şaka

🇰🇷 농담

🇸🇦 نكتة

🇨🇿 vtip

🇸🇰 vtip

🇨🇳 笑话

🇸🇮 šala

🇮🇸 brandari

🇰🇿 әзіл

🇬🇪 ხუმრობა

🇦🇿 zarafat

🇲🇽 chiste

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,739, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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17736 stitched
17737 invariance
17738 deliberative
17739 pun
17740 buffered
17741 outbursts
17742 slug
...