pun
Humorous double meaning
A pun is a joke that exploits different meanings of a word or similar-sounding words: Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
Puns range from clever wordplay to groan-inducing dad jokes.
To pun is to make such jokes.
Someone who puns habitually is a punster.
Joke inducing sighs
- one-linerBrief standalone joke
- zingerPointed witty remark
- witticismClever, amusing remark
- quipBrief, clever remark
jest · jape · gag · wisecrack · knee-slapper · rib-tickler · howler · groan-worthy
Rhetorical use of puns
- homophoneIdentically pronounced, differently spelled word
- homonymWord with twin sound
- play-on-wordsJoke exploiting double meanings
- double-entendreWords with suggestive second meaning
equivoque · ambiguity · polysemy · malapropism · spoonerism · mondegreen · eggcorn · heteronym
One word, multiple applications
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- allusionIndirect reference to something
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- witClever, inventive humor
wordcraft · cleverness · double-take · misdirection · setup · payoff · timing · delivery
Pictures encoding phrases
- anagramReshuffled letter word
- acrosticVertically spelled hidden message
- palindromeReversible letter sequence
- charadesWordless guessing game
catchphrase · hangman · ambigram · riddle · brain-teaser · cryptogram · pangram
groaner
Joke inducing sighs
quip · jest · jape · gag · wisecrack · knee-slapper · rib-tickler · howler · groan-worthy · eye-roll
paronomasia
Rhetorical use of puns
- homophoneIdentically pronounced, differently spelled word
- homonymWord with twin sound
- play-on-wordsJoke exploiting double meanings
double-entendre · equivoque · ambiguity · polysemy · malapropism · spoonerism · mondegreen · eggcorn · heteronym · quibble
zeugma
One word, multiple applications
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- allusionIndirect reference to something
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
wit · wordcraft · cleverness · double-take · misdirection · setup · payoff · timing · delivery · subversion
rebus
Pictures encoding phrases
- anagramReshuffled letter word
- acrosticVertically spelled hidden message
- palindromeReversible letter sequence
charades · catchphrase · hangman · ambigram · riddle · brain-teaser · cryptogram · pangram
punslapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
physical comedy · sight gag · pratfall · deadpan · bathroom humor
- bad punGroan-worthy wordplay
- no pun intendedDisclaimer following coincidental wordplay
- capital punishmentExecution by legal authority
- glutton for punishmentOne who seeks suffering
- sucker for punishmentOne who invites suffering
- corporal punishmentInflicting pain as penalty
punish, punishment, puncture, punished, punctual, puns, punitive, punning, punishable