funny

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English[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

Etymology 1[edit]

From fun +‎ -y.

Adjective[edit]

funny (comparative funnier, superlative funniest)

  1. Amusing; humorous; comical. [from the mid-18th c.]
    When I went to the circus, I only found the clowns funny.
  2. Strange or unusual, often implying unpleasant. [from the early 19th c.]
    The milk smelt funny so I poured it away.
    I've got a funny feeling that this isn't going to work.
  3. (UK, informal) Showing unexpected resentment.
    • 2011, Sarah Webb, It Had To Be You:
      'Moved in where?' Sam asked Brona in confusion. 'What boyfriend?'
      'Glen,' Brona said quietly. 'You met him a while ago, remember? He only moved in last week. I was going to tell you but […] I thought you might be funny about it, that's all.'
    • 2012, Jade Varden, The Tower (Deck of Lies, #2):
      Ash would have been happy to sit and stare at Viv all day, but when he saw the other guys staring at his sister, too, he got funny about it.
  4. (Jamaica, offensive, derogatory) homosexual; gay
    • 2005, Damian Marley, "Welcome to Jamrock", Welcome to Jamrock (album title) [1].
      Funny man ah get drop like a bad habit.
Synonyms[edit]
Derived terms[edit]
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

Noun[edit]

funny (plural funnies)

  1. (informal) A joke.
    • 1996, The Living Church - Volume 212, page 20:
      After church I am met by a dear parishioner who says, "Got a funny for you. Father." Now I'll have "funnies," so I can reply. "Got one for you too, Mary!"
    • 2014, Brian Conaghan, When Mr. Dog Bites, page 54:
      Everyone would be sitting on big fluffy white clouds singing songs, telling funnies and just enjoying the day.
  2. (informal) A comic strip.
    • 1974, The New York Times Magazine, page cliv:
      Chic Young, who created his funny funny, “Blondie,” in 1930, and kept it the most popular comic strip in the world right through the unfunny generation, was quick to see the difference between the innocent funnies and the new generation of comics that started after the Second World War:
    • 2014 March 9, Johnny Vardeman, “Drawn into history: Gainesville cartoonist to continue legacy of Mark Trail comic”, in Gainesville Times:
      The artist gave priority to “Mark Trail,” usually spending at least eight hours a day on it, then working at night on “The Ryatts,” a funny that featured the foibles of a family much like his own, which included four children.
    • 2009, R. P. Moffa, The Vaulted Sky, page 343:
      His father was more likely to listen to the radio, although he would read the Sunday funnies, and his grandmother would only read the Italian language paper she picked up at the corner candy store.
Translations[edit]

Adverb[edit]

funny (not comparable)

  1. (nonstandard) In an unusual manner; strangely.
    • 1970, Troy Conway, The Cunning Linguist, London: Flamingo Books, page 41:
      She was breathing funny now.
  2. (Jamaica, offensive, derogatory) In a manner seen as being typical of a homosexual, or indicating homosexuality
    • 2002, Sean Paul, "Like Glue", Dutty Rock (album title) [2].
      Dem nuh waan nuh honey, dem only waan di money. Dat’s how me know seh dem bwoy deh all a move funny.
    • 2018, Jah Lando, Money Hard, [3].
      Nuff boy move funny just fi get money.

Etymology 2[edit]

Perhaps a jocular use of funny. See above.

Noun[edit]

funny (plural funnies)

  1. (Britain) A narrow clinker-built boat for sculling.
Translations[edit]
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