fun 1 of 3

noun

ˈfən How to pronounce fun (audio)
Definition of funnext
1
as in entertainment
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment theme parks with their rides, shows, and games are great fun for the whole family

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in play
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously when I said that playing the piano like that could get you arrested, I only said it in fun

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3
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself came outside to where we were playing touch football and joined the fun

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity the fun really began when the deer broke out of its pen and started wandering down the street

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fun

2 of 3

adjective

as in amusing
providing amusement or enjoyment there were so many fun things to do at summer camp that the kids really hated to leave

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fun

3 of 3

verb

as in to joke
to make jokes just a couple of old friends funning with each other

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For
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fun people
friendly people
cool people
happy people
festive people
fun appetizers
yummy appetizers
delicious appetizers
tasty appetizers
fancy appetizers
creative appetizers
fun neighborhoods
quirky neighborhoods
lively neighborhoods
trendy neighborhoods
charming neighborhoods
cool neighborhoods

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun fun differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fun are game, jest, play, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How do game and sport relate to one another, in the sense of fun?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When can jest be used instead of fun?

The words jest and fun can be used in similar contexts, but jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When might play be a better fit than fun?

In some situations, the words play and fun are roughly equivalent. However, play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

In what contexts can sport take the place of fun?

The synonyms sport and fun are sometimes interchangeable, but sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fun
Noun
Then there are the double bills or co-headlining tours, which are probably the most fun of all. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025 Franciscan Health, partners hosting Safe Kids Day Children and their families are invited to join in the fun at the free Safe Kids Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13 at the LaPorte County Family Resource Center, a release said. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Adjective
Pulling this makeshift pantsuit together is a fun and whimsical pair of walking sandals. —Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025 The new facility is equipped with four dual-tasking machines (think tapping your head and reciting the alphabet backwards at the same time) designed to push users cognitively in a safe and fun environment. —Advertorial, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fun
  1. entertainment
  2. play
  3. relaxation
  4. commotion
  5. amusing
  6. joke
  7. delight
  8. game
Noun
  • Launched in 2018, Elevate now has more than a thousand clients in sports and entertainment as well as other sectors such as retail and consumer products.
    — Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025
  • The second business, Global Networks, will include entertainment, sports and news television brands around the world as CNN, TNT Sports in the U.S., and Discovery, free-to-air channels across Europe, and digital products such as the profitable Discovery+ streaming service and Bleacher Report (B/R).
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • Related Stories Performances begin on Tuesday at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, with the play’s 11-week engagement officially opening on June 24.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • The two left their partners only to break up after the play’s run—what’s known in the business as a showmance.
    — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Definition of play
Noun
  • The class encompasses information about exercises to prepare the mother for birth, relaxation and coping techniques, pain control options, labor positioning, induction and C-section basics, recovery and welcoming baby.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
  • This is especially significant with the planet of love in your sixth house of daily routines, so consider this all the more reason to request a personal day for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of relaxation
Noun
  • Bass won’t hang around with that kind of commotion going on.
    — Ted Janes, Outdoor Life, 29 May 2025
  • Moments after Tommy left the theater to start packing, Ellie and Jesse heard a commotion in the lobby.
    — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 25 May 2025
Definition of commotion
Adjective
  • The post prompted a chorus of amusing responses from commenters.
    — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Instruct large language model for a quick, amusing tutorial on how to solve a Rubik’s Cube.
    — Dave Altavilla, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of amusing
Verb
  • President Donald Trump’s administration has sent hundreds of Venezuelan deportees to languish in Salvadoran prisons this year, joking with Mr. Bukele in the oval office in April about imprisoning U.S. citizens in El Salvador as well.
    — Nelson Mauricio Rauda Zablah, Christian Science Monitor, 6 June 2025
  • Many joked that Tesla was now going to face hostility from all sides of the political spectrum.
    — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of joke
Noun
  • The songs, the story, the performances — the new musical based on the 2002 indie film is a pure delight.
    — EW Staff Published, EW.com, 13 June 2025
  • That’s why this special Juneteenth set is sure to be a delight for audiences.
    — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Definition of delight
Noun
  • Scottie Scheffler, coming off three wins in his last four starts, had his sixth straight round over par in the U.S. Open with a game that didn’t look familiar.
    — Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
  • There’s a striped, stretch terry collection of tops and bottoms that are perfect for hitting a soccer game, then heading out to lunch with friends, the partners said.
    — Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025
Definition of game

Phrases Containing fun

Browse Nearby Words

fuming
fun
fun and games
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Cite this Entry

“Fun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fun. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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