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The English language offers a rich palette of words to describe the things that make you laugh, from chuckling at a clever joke to belly laughing at a slapstick comedy. When you want to express the quality of being amusing or entertaining, there is a variety of synonyms for ‘funny’ that you can choose from, each with its own nuance and appropriate context.
Understanding these synonyms can help you convey just the right level of amusement and tailor your language to your audience with precision.
Funny Synonyms
Funny Meaning
Funny generally means causing laughter or amusement. It can describe a situation, a joke, a story, or a person’s sense of humor.
Examples
- His witty remarks never fail to add a funny twist to our conversations.
- The children’s funny costumes brought joy to the Halloween party.
- The comedian’s funny antics kept the audience entertained throughout the show.
List of Synonyms for Funny
- Abnormal
- Absurd
- Amused
- Amusing
- Anomalous
- Antic
- Awkward
- Bizarre
- Clever
- Comic
- Comical
- Comically
- Cool
- Crack
- Crazy
- Creepy
- Curious
- Cute
- Diverting
- Droll
- Eccentric
- Enjoyable
- Entertaining
- Exceptional
- Exciting
- Facetious
- Fantastic
- Farcical
- Fishy
- Fool
- Foreign
- Freak
- Freakish
- Freaky
- Funnier
- Funniest
- Good
- Great
- Happy
- Hilarious
- Hilariously
- Humorous
- Hysterical
- Idiosyncratic
- Incongruous
- Insane
- Interesting
- Jocose
- Jocular
- Joking
- Jolly
- Kooky
- Laughable
- Laughing
- Ludicrous
- Merry
- Mirthful
- Next
- Nice
- Odd
- Offbeat
- Outlandish
- Peculiar
- Playful
- Priceless
- Quaint
- Queer
- Rare
- Remarkable
- Ridicule
- Ridiculous
- Riot
- Risible
- Rum
- Shady
- Shaved
- Side-splitting
- Silly
- Singular
- Slapstick
- Strange
- Strangely
- Stranger
- Strangest
- Stupid
- Suspicious
- Uncommon
- Unconventional
- Unusual
- Uproarious
- Wacky
- Waggish
- Weird
- Weirder
- Whimsical
- Witty
- Wrong
- Zany
Types of Synonyms for Funny
Gentle Humor
- Amusing
- Entertaining
Gentle Humor
- Amusing
- Entertaining
Sharp Wit
- Witty
- Clever
Silliness
- Ridiculous
- Ludicrous
High Comedy
- Hilarious
- Laughable
Subtle Humor
- Comical
- Droll
Common Synonyms for Funny
Funny vs. Humorous
Funny typically conveys a sense of the amusing or laughable. It’s a broad term that can apply to various situations where laughter is the outcome. Humorous, on the other hand, implies a more sophisticated or subtle form of wit. You use “humorous” when describing situations or jokes that are clever and entertaining, usually requiring some thought to appreciate the humor fully.
- Funny: The comedian’s jokes were so funny that the entire audience was in stitches, laughing uncontrollably at his humor.
- Humorous: The writer’s humorous storytelling captivated the audience, as they appreciated the clever and entertaining nature of his wit.
Funny vs. Amusing
Amusing is another synonym for funny, but it often bears a lighter, more delightful connotation. If you find something funny, it makes you laugh; but if it’s amusing, it might just entertain you or hold your attention pleasantly without necessarily triggering loud laughter.
- Funny: The movie was so funny that everyone in the theater was laughing out loud at the hilarious scenes.
- Amusing: The amusing anecdotes shared by the speaker entertained the audience, eliciting smiles and nods of appreciation.
Funny vs. Hilarious
Lastly, “hilarious” is the superlative form of funny—it’s used to describe something extremely funny or comically outstanding. When something is so funny that you cannot stop laughing, that’s when it crosses from merely being funny to being hilarious.
- Funny: The comedian’s stand-up routine was funny, but the unexpected punchline in his last joke was so hilarious that the audience erupted into uproarious laughter.
- Hilarious: The sitcom’s hilarious plot twists and comedic timing had the viewers laughing uproariously throughout the entire episode.
Synonyms for Funny in Different Contexts
In Casual Conversations
- Amusing: Your cat’s reaction to the new toy was so amusing; I couldn’t stop laughing.
- Hilarious: That stand-up comedian was hilarious; I laughed the entire time.
- Entertaining: The movie was highly entertaining, with its gripping plot and engaging characters keeping the audience thoroughly captivated.
In Literary Contexts
- Witty: Oscar Wilde’s plays are known for their witty dialogue that cleverly satirizes Victorian society.
- Droll: The character’s droll remarks subtly poked fun at the absurdity of the situation.
- Facetious: Despite his serious demeanor, his facetious remarks often brought lightheartedness to the conversation.
- Jocular: His jocular nature made him the life of the party, always ready with a witty remark or humorous anecdote.
In Formal Settings
- Humorous: The speaker’s humorous anecdotes made the lecture much more engaging.
- Entertaining: The host is known for her entertaining stories that captivate all her guests.
- Mirthful: The mirthful laughter of the children echoed through the park, creating a joyful and carefree atmosphere.
- Whimsical: The whimsical decorations at the event added a touch of magic and enchantment to the surroundings.
- Waggish: His waggish remarks during the meeting lightened the mood and brought a sense of playfulness to the otherwise serious discussion.
In Reviews or Critiques
- Comical: The film’s lead delivered a comical performance that was both unexpected and delightful.
- Ridiculous: The book’s ridiculous scenarios are purposefully exaggerated to create satire.
Absolute and Near Synonyms for Funny
Absolute Synonyms for Funny
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hilarious | Extremely amusing and likely to cause loud laughter. |
| Comical | Amusing, especially in a laughable or ludicrous way. |
| Humorous | Showing or characterized by the ability to evoke laughter. |
| Witty | Displaying quick and inventive verbal humor. |
Near Synonyms for Funny
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Amusing | Entertaining and able to provoke light laughter or smiles. |
| Entertaining | Providing amusement or enjoyment, synonymous with funny when it causes laughter. |
| Ridiculous | Deserving or inviting mockery or derision, often due to absurdity. |
| Droll | Curiously or unusually amusing in a wry or odd way. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are alternative words for ‘funny’ when describing humor?
You can describe humor using synonyms like amusing, comical, entertaining, or witty depending on the context you’re referring to.
What term can replace ‘hilarious’ while still conveying the same meaning?
To replace ‘hilarious,’ you could use side-splitting, uproarious, or humoristic which all suggest a high level of amusement.
Which word can be used interchangeably with ‘humorous’?
The word jocular can often be used interchangeably with ‘humorous’ to describe something light-hearted or inclined to provoke laughter.
In English, what are some equivalents for ‘comical’?
Equivalents for ‘comical’ include far-farical, laughable, or clownish, all indicative of a situation or expression that is humorous in a silly or exaggerated way.
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