Pun

Pronunciation

• enPR: pÅ­n, IPA: /pÊŒn/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒn

From Middle English *punen, from Old English punian, pūnian ("to pound, beat, bray, bruise, crush, grind"), from Proto-Germanic *punōną ("to break to pieces, pulverise"). More at pound.

Full definition of pun

Verb

1. (transitive) To beat; strike with force; ram; pound, as in a mortar; reduce to powder.
• ShakespeareHe would pun thee into shivers with his fist.

From a special use of Etymology 1 pun ("to beat, bend (words)").

Noun

1. A joke or type of wordplay in which similar senses or sounds of two words or phrases, or different senses of the same word, are deliberately confused.
• 1814, Mansfield Park"Certainly, my home at my uncle's brought me acquainted with a circle of admirals. Of Rears and Vices I saw enough. Now do not be suspecting me of a pun, I entreat."Comment: Austen was likely referring to spanking/flogging, then common naval punishments, known as le vice Anglais.

Usage notes

Because some puns are based on pronunciation, puns are more obvious when spoken aloud. For example: “This rock is gneiss, but don’t take it for granite.” This reads (with a US accent) similarly to “This rock is nice, but don’t take it for granted.” (Both “gneiss” and “granite” are types of rock.)

Synonyms

Verb

1. To make or tell a pun; make a play on words.We punned about the topic until all around us groaned.

Anagrams

• UPN