Difference Between Fun and Funny

Fun vs Funny
 

Difference between fun and funny is not much thought of as when fun and funny are considered as two words that have the same meaning. Consequently, fun and funny are often confused due to the appearing similarity between the two words. The word funny is used in the sense of ‘hilarious’ or ‘humourous’. On the other hand, the word fun is used in the sense of ‘enjoyment’. This is the main difference between the two words. A man appearing on the platform of a circus with a peculiar dress and make-up is funny in appearance. He is called a funny person. He is otherwise called a clown. Sometimes we look at funny pictures too. Pictures appear funny, if something unusual or hilarious is found in them. Anything funny kindles laughter in us. On the other hand, fun need not kindle laughter in us. This is also an important difference between the two words.

What does Fun mean?

The word fun is used in the sense of enjoyment. Observe the two sentences given below.

He had a lot of fun during the festival.

The boys had a lot of fun.

In both the sentences, you can see that the word fun is used in the sense of enjoyment. Hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘he had a lot of enjoyment during the festival.’ In the same way, the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘the boys had a lot of enjoyment’.

On the other hand, the word fun sometimes has the figurative meaning of ‘sexual enjoyment’ as in the sentence ‘they had fun in the night’. In this sentence, the word fun has a special meaning of ‘sexual enjoyment’. This kind of meaning is called as suggested meaning. It is important to know that fun often results in pleasure and excitement.

What does Funny mean?

The word funny is used in the sense of hilarious or humourous. In fact, the word funny might have arisen from the word fun, but the word funny altogether has a different meaning as explained above. On the other hand, ‘being funny’ results in laughter and smile. Anything funny around us induces laughter in our hearts and minds. We cannot help laughing louder when we see something funny.

On the Internet, you will find a lot of funny pictures and funny videos. A funny video of a two cats fighting with each other or two cats engaged in doing tricks is often seen on the Internet. Such funny videos and funny pictures have become a sort of hobby for the people to collect and exhibit on their blogs or websites.

As the Oxford English dictionary says, funny is also used in the sense of ‘difficult to explain or understand; strange or curious.’ Look at the following example.

I have a funny feeling about going there.

Here funny feeling means strange feeling not humourous or hilarious. So, you have to pay attention to the context in which funny is used to know the exact meaning of the word.

What is the difference between Fun and Funny?

• The word funny is used in the sense of ‘hilarious’ or ‘humourous’.

• On the other hand, the word fun is used in the sense of ‘enjoyment’.

• The word fun sometimes has the figurative meaning of ‘sexual enjoyment’ depending on the context.

• Funny is also sometimes used in the sense of ‘difficult to explain or understand; strange or curious.’

• Fun often results in pleasure and excitement.

• On the other hand, ‘being funny’ results in laughter and smile.

• Anything funny kindles laughter in us. On the other hand, fun need not kindle laughter in us.

These are the important differences between the two words, namely, fun and funny.