make a pun

  • 1pun — [pun] n. [17th c. clipped form < ? It puntiglio, fine point, hence verbal quibble: see PUNCTILIO] the use of a word, or of words which are formed or sounded alike, in such a way as to juxtapose, connect, or bring out two or more of the… …

    English World dictionary

  • 2pun — ► NOUN ▪ a joke exploiting the different meanings of a word or the fact that there are words of the same sound and different meanings. ► VERB (punned, punning) ▪ make a pun. DERIVATIVES punster noun. ORIGIN perhaps an abbreviation of obsolete… …

    English terms dictionary

  • 3Pun — A pun (or paronomasia) is a phrase that deliberately exploits confusion between similar sounding words for humorous or rhetorical effect.A pun may also cause confusion between two senses of the same written or spoken word, due to homophony,… …

    Wikipedia

  • 4pun — pun1 [pʌn] n [Date: 1600 1700; Origin: Probably from pundigrion pun (17 19 centuries), perhaps from Italian puntiglio; PUNCTILIOUS] an amusing use of a word or phrase that has two meanings, or of words that have the same sound but different… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 5pun — I UK [pʌn] / US noun [countable] Word forms pun : singular pun plural puns linguistics a humorous use of a word that has two meanings, or of words with the same sound but different meanings. For example, in the sentence The violinist spent the… …

    English dictionary

  • 6pun — pun1 [ pʌn ] noun count a humorous use of a word that has two meanings, or of words with the same sound but different meanings. For example in the sentence The violinist spent the night in a vile inn vile inn (=poor hotel) sounds like violin. pun …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 7pun — 1 noun (C) an amusing use of a word or phrase that has two meanings, or of words with the same sound but different meanings, for example: Seven days without water make one weak. (=1 week) 2 verb punned, punning (intransitive + on) to make a pun …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 8pun — pun1 noun a joke exploiting the different meanings of a word or the fact that there are words of the same sound and different meanings. verb (puns, punning, punned) [often as adjective punning] make a pun. Derivatives punningly adverb punster… …

    English new terms dictionary

  • 9pun — I. n. Quibble, clinch, calembourg, play upon words, witticism, conceit, paragram. II. v. n. Quibble, play upon words, make a pun …

    New dictionary of synonyms

  • 10pun — 1. n. & v. n. the humorous use of a word to suggest different meanings, or of words of the same sound and different meanings. v.intr. (punned, punning) (foll. by on) make a pun or puns with (words). Derivatives: punningly adv. Etymology: 17th c …

    Useful english dictionary