pun

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: punningwordplayparonomasia

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a humorous play on words“I do it for the pun of it”“his constant punning irritated her”Synonyms: punningwordplayparonomasia

Verb (1)

  1. make a play on words“Japanese like to pun--their language is well suited to punning”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Pun \Pun\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Punned; p. pr. & vb. n. Punning.] 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. [1913 Webster]
Pun \Pun\, v. t. To persuade or affect by a pun. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
Pun \Pun\, v. t. [See Pound to beat.] To pound. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

He would pun thee into shivers with his fist. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Pun \Pun\, n. [Cf. Pun to pound, Pound to beat.] 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. [1913 Webster]

A better put on this word was made on the Beggar's Opera, which, it was said, made Gay rich, and Rich gay. --Walpole. [1913 Webster]

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