Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Origin: Probably from pundigrion 'pun' (17-19 centuries), perhaps from Italian puntiglio; PUNCTILIOUS

pun

1 noun
     
pun1 [countable]
SL an amusing use of a word or phrase that has two meanings, or of words that have the same sound but different meanings [= play on words]
forgive/excuse/pardon the pun (=used to show you know you are making a pun)
no pun intended (=used to show you do not mean to make a joke about something)
The clergy prey (no pun intended) on bereaved families.
WORD FOCUS: funny 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

➔ See also funny
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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