Unfunny: meaning, definitions and examples
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unfunny
[ ʌnˈfʌni ]
humor, comedy
The term 'unfunny' refers to something that is not amusing or does not provoke laughter. It is often used to describe jokes, performances, or situations that fail to entertain. This word suggests a lack of wit or humor and can be applied to various comedic elements. Commonly, it is used in a dismissive manner to express disappointment in comedic attempts.
Synonyms
boring, dull, humorless, uninspiring.
Examples of usage
- The comedian's last show was completely unfunny.
- I found the movie unfunny; it didn't make me laugh at all.
- His attempt at a joke was so unfunny that everyone fell silent.
Translations
Translations of the word "unfunny" in other languages:
🇵🇹 sem graça
🇮🇳 बेतुका
🇩🇪 unlustig
🇮🇩 tidak lucu
🇺🇦 недотепний
🇵🇱 nieśmieszny
🇯🇵 面白くない
🇫🇷 pas drôle
🇪🇸 no gracioso
🇹🇷 komik değil
🇰🇷 재미없다
🇸🇦 غير مضحك
🇨🇿 nepovedený
🇸🇰 nepôsobivý
🇨🇳 不好笑
🇸🇮 ne smešen
🇮🇸 ekki fyndið
🇰🇿 күлкілі емес
🇬🇪 არანაკლებFunny
🇦🇿 gülməli deyil
🇲🇽 no chistoso
Etymology
The word 'unfunny' is a compound of the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', and 'funny', which itself originated in the late 19th century as a colloquial term meaning 'of or relating to laughter or humor'. The prefix 'un-' has a long history in English, used to negate the meanings of words. 'Funny' is derived from the earlier word 'fun', which meant 'to have fun' or 'enjoyment'. Over time, 'funny' evolved to relate specifically to humor and the ability to invoke laughter. The use of 'unfunny' explicitly denotes the absence of this quality. It reflects the cultural importance placed on humor, particularly in entertainment, where being 'funny' is a highly valued trait. The emergence of 'unfunny' likely arose from the need to articulate dissatisfaction with comedic efforts, especially in critiques of media, performances, and social situations.