pun Meaning & Definition
What Does Pun Mean?
Pun is used as a symbol meaning Former ISO 639-3 language code for Pubian. As a verb, it means To beat; strike with force; to ram; to pound, as in a mortar; reduce to powder, to pulverize. As a noun, it means A joke or type of wordplay in which similar definitions or sounds of two words or phrases, or different definitions of the same word, are deliberately confused.
Pun at a Glance
| Part of speech | symbol, verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //pʌn// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | wordplay and punning |
| Plural | puns |
| Verb forms | puns, punning, punned |
Pun Definition (Symbol)
- Former ISO 639-3 language code for Pubian.
Pun as a Verb
- To beat; strike with force; to ram; to pound, as in a mortar; reduce to powder, to pulverize.
- To make or tell a pun; to make a play on words.
We punned about the topic until all around us groaned.
Pun as a Noun
- A joke or type of wordplay in which similar definitions or sounds of two words or phrases, or different definitions of the same word, are deliberately confused.
The pun is the lowest form of wit.
Noun
- Alternative form of bun (“Korean unit of measure”).
Noun
- A certain number of cowries, generally 80.
Noun
- A Korean unit of length equivalent to about 0.3 cm.
Synonyms of Pun
Pun synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Pun
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Pun in a Sentence
We punned about the topic until all around us groaned.
The pun is the lowest form of wit.
Word Forms & Grammar
pun (third-person singular simple present puns, present participle punning, simple past and past participle punned)
pun (plural puns)
pun (plural puns or pun)
Words That Rhyme With Pun
Origin of Pun
Origin 1: From Middle English ponnen, ponen, punen, from Old English punian, pūnian (“to pound, beat, bray, bruise, crush, grind”), from Proto-Germanic *punōną (“to break to pieces, pulverize”). See pound. As a kind of word play, from the notion of “beating” the words into place.
Origin 2: From the McCune-Reischauer romanization of Korean 분 (bun), from Chinese 分 (“fen”).
Origin 3: From Hindi [Term?].
Pronouncing Pun
You say pun as //pʌn//. It has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Pun
Is pun a symbol or a verb?
Pun is mainly used as a symbol, but it can also be used as a verb and a noun.
What is another word for pun?
Close synonyms of pun are wordplay and punning. See the full list of pun synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of pun?
The plural of pun is puns.
What is the past tense of pun?
The past tense of pun is punned. The present participle is punning.