| Date: | 1700-1800 |
| Origin: | fun |
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fun‧ny S1 W3
comparative funnier, superlative funniest
comparative funnier, superlative funniest1 making you laugh
the funniest man in Britain
Luckily, when I explained the situation, he saw the funny side (=recognized that it was partly funny). ! Do not use funny to mean 'enjoyable'. Use fun: The picnic was really fun.
amusing
the funniest man in Britain
Luckily, when I explained the situation, he saw the funny side (=recognized that it was partly funny).2 unusual, strange, or difficult to explain :
What's that funny smell?
People tell me I ran the greatest race of my life, but the funny thing is I can't remember much about it.
strange
What's that funny smell?
People tell me I ran the greatest race of my life, but the funny thing is I can't remember much about it.3 appearing to be illegal, dishonest, or wrong :
dishonest
4 if you give someone a funny look, you look at them in a way that shows you think they are behaving strangely :
I hunkered down, ignoring the funny looks from passers-by.
a funny look
I hunkered down, ignoring the funny looks from passers-by.7 if a machine, piece of equipment etc goes funny, it stops working properly :
I just turned it on and the screen went all funny.
go funny
informal
I just turned it on and the screen went all funny.8 used when someone is laughing at you or playing a trick and you do not think it is amusing :
Very funny! Who's hidden my car keys?
very funny!
spoken
Very funny! Who's hidden my car keys?9 used when you are serious or do not want to offend someone :
I'm not being funny, but we haven't got much time.
I'm not being funny (but)
British English spoken
I'm not being funny, but we haven't got much time.10 used to describe something you like because it is small, unusual, or interesting :
The town centre is crammed with funny little shops.
his funny little grin
funny little something
The town centre is crammed with funny little shops.
his funny little grin11 used when someone has described something as funny and you want to know whether they mean it is strange or amusing :
'Tim's a funny guy.' 'Funny weird or funny ha-ha?'
funny peculiar or funny ha-ha?
British English funny weird/strange or funny ha-ha? American English
'Tim's a funny guy.' 'Funny weird or funny ha-ha?'WORD FOCUS: funny 
similar words: amusing, humorous, witty, comical
very funny: hilarious, hysterical
something that someone says that is intended to make people laugh: joke, pun, play on wordsfunny ➔ comedy, irony, satire, comedian

similar words: amusing, humorous, witty, comical
very funny: hilarious, hysterical
something that someone says that is intended to make people laugh: joke, pun, play on wordsfunny ➔ comedy, irony, satire, comedian
