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Definition of pun

pun

/pʌn/
pun
Plural:puns
•
Adjective:punning
•
Past Simple:punned
•
Past Participle:punned
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Present Participle:punning
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pun Lexical Profile

pun Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

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

Example

"The comedian made a clever pun about time flies and arrows during his opening monologue."

Synonyms
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• verb

1

To make a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the similarity in sound between two words.

Example

"He frequently puns on his friends' names to keep the dinner conversation lively."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for pun

• Nearby Words

pumpkin seed
pumpkin seeds
pumpkinseed
pun
punch
punchable
punchbag

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the mid-17th century, possibly a clipping of the obsolete word 'pundigrion' (a fanciful or nonsensical play on words), which itself may be an alteration of 'punctilio' from Italian 'puntiglio' (a fine point or quibble).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pun. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pun
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