n.
Pronunciation: ' f ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: English dialect fun to hoax, perhaps alteration of Middle English fonnen, from fonne dupe
Date: 1727
1 : what provides amusement or enjoyment specifically : playful often boisterous action or speech <full of fun >
2 : a mood for finding or making amusement <all in fun >
3 a : AMUSEMENT , ENJOYMENT <sickness takes all the fun out of life> b : derisive jest : SPORT , RIDICULE <a figure of fun >
4 : violent or excited activity or argument <let a snake loose in the classroom; then the fun began>
synonyms FUN , JEST , SPORT , GAME , PLAY 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 >. JEST implies lack of earnestness in what is said or done and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing <hurt by remarks said only in jest >. SPORT applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone <teasing begun in sport led to anger>. GAME is close to SPORT and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun <made game of their poor relations>. PLAY stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief <pretended to strangle his brother in play >.