Pun

/pʌn/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive, obsolete) To beat; strike with force; to ram; to pound, as in a mortar; reduce to powder, to pulverize..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive, obsolete) To beat; strike with force; to ram; to pound, as in a mortar; reduce to powder, to pulverize.
2. (intransitive) To make or tell a pun; to make a play on words.
3. 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.
4. (Korean units of measure) Alternative form of bun (“Korean unit of measure”).
5. (India, historical) A certain number of cowries, generally 80.

Example Sentences

He would pun thee into shivers with his fist.

We punned about the topic until all around us groaned.

The pun is the lowest form of wit.

"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."

Hackeries and carriages, loaded and empty, 8 annas. Sheep, goats, &c., 1 pun of cowries each.

Synonyms for pun

Antonyms for pun

Related Words

Word Forms

• puns
• punning
• punned
• pun
• pund

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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