fun
fun Lexical Profile
fun Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Amusing, entertaining, or enjoyable; providing pleasure or lively recreation.
"The interactive science museum proved to be a fun educational trip for the entire class."
• noun
Lighthearted pleasure, enjoyment, or amusement derived from recreational or social activities.
"The children had great fun building sandcastles along the shoreline all afternoon."
A source or cause of amusement, excitement, or lively entertainment.
"With her quick wit and warm personality, she is always wonderful fun at dinner parties."
Playful behavior, teasing,banter, or lack of serious intent.
"He made the remark purely in fun, never intending to offend his colleague."
• verb
North American To joke, tease, or speak playfully without serious intent (used in informal or dialectal speech).
"Don't take his tall tales to heart; he is only funning with you."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'fun' was historically strictly an uncountable noun, its use as an attributive and predicative adjective (along with the comparative 'funner' and superlative 'funnest') is now widespread in informal and conversational English, though formal writing still prefers 'more fun' and 'most fun'. Do not confuse 'fun' (enjoyable or entertaining) with 'funny' (humorous or strange).
• Rhymes for fun
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originating in the late 17th century as a verb meaning 'to cheat or hoax,' probably as a variant of Middle English 'fonnen' (to befool), derived from 'fon' (a fool). The noun sense of a playful trick evolved in the early 18th century into general merriment and amusement.