pun Hear it!

pun definition

pun (pun)

noun

the use of a word, or of words which are formed or sounded alike, in such a way as to juxtapose, connect, or bring out two or more of the possible applications of the word or words, usually in a humorous way; a play on words

Etymology: 17th-c. clipped form < ? It puntiglio, fine point, hence verbal quibble: see punctilio

intransitive verb punned, punning pun′·ning

to make a pun or puns

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

pun Synonyms

pun

n.

conceit, witticism, quip, quibble, double-entendre, play upon words; see also joke 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

pun Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • intend: I'd like a stab at that, no pun intended ' .

Preposition: on

  • name: Not only is this a pun on the name, Nobody, which Odysseus give himself ( Bk.

Adjective modifier

  • unintentional: We'll start, if you don't mind the unintentional pun, with the gentleman to my right.

Modifying Another Word

  • not: Finally, I must admit to having committed the cardinal sin ( pun not intended!

Preposition: in

  • title: There is an obvious pun in the title on Wicca, the pagan religion.
pun usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

pun quotes

   A man who could make so vile a pun would not scruple to pick a pocket.

-Dennis,John

The last breath I drew in he wished might be through a pipe and exhaled in a pun.

-Lamb, Charles

Every poet knows the pun is Pierian, that it springs from the same soil as the Muse†a matching and shifting of vowels and consonants, an adroit assonance sometimes derided as jackassonance.

-Untermeyer, Louis

pun quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"pun." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/pun>

APA Style

pun. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/pun

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment