funny
pronunciation
How to pronounce funny in British English:
UK [ˈfʌni]
How to pronounce funny in American English:
US [ˈfʌni]
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- Adjective:
- arousing or provoking laughter
- beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
- not as expected
- experiencing odd bodily sensations
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- Adverb:
- in a strange manner
- in a comical manner
Word Origin
- funny (adj.)
- "humorous," 1756, from fun (n.) + -y (2). Meaning "strange, odd, causing perplexity" is by 1806, said to be originally U.S. Southern (marked as colloquial in Century Dictionary). The two senses of the word led to the retort question "funny ha-ha or funny peculiar," which is attested by 1916. Related: Funnier; funniest. Funny farm "mental hospital" is slang from 1962. Funny bone "elbow end of the humerus" (where the ulnar nerve passes relatively unprotected) is from 1826, so called for the tingling sensation when struck. Funny-man was originally (1854) a circus or stage clown.
Example
- 1. These early encounters are wonderfully funny .
- 2. What I do find funny is her wedding night .
- 3. Regularly read humorous comic strips and look for quips and funny comments in your reading .
- 4. And memory is a funny thing .
- 5. Just listening to someone laugh is funny .