pun Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a humorous play on words
    punning; wordplay; paronomasia.
    • I do it for the pun of it
    • his constant punning irritated her
  2. verb make a play on words
    • Japanese like to pun--their language is well suited to punning

WordNet

Pun transitive verb
Etymology
See Pound to beat.
Definitions
  1. To pound. Obs.
    He would pun thee into shivers with his fist. Shak.
Pun noun
Etymology
Cf. Pun to pound, Pound to beat.
Definitions
  1. A play on words which have the same sound but different meanings; an expression in which two different applications of a word present an odd or ludicrous idea; a kind of quibble or equivocation. Addison.
    A better put on this word was made on the Beggar's Opera, which, it was said, made Gay rich, and Rich gay. Walpole.
Pun intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Punned ; present participle & verbal noun Punning
Definitions
  1. To make puns, or a pun; to use a word in a double sense, especially when the contrast of ideas is ludicrous; to play upon words; to quibble. Dryden.
Pun transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To persuade or affect by a pun. Addison.

Webster 1913