Fun and Funny

What is the difference between Fun and Funny?

Both can be used as adjectives (words that describe something)

Funny = it makes you laugh

Fun = when you enjoy yourself and have a good time (Fun can also be a noun)



A comedian is…. FUNNY (because he makes you laugh) Going to an amusement park is … FUN (because you enjoy yourself and have a good time)

Compare these examples:

• John is a fun guy. (I have a good time when I am with John)
• John is a funny guy. (John makes me laugh)
• Her jokes were very funny. (She made me laugh)
• The roll coaster was fun. (We had a good time)

And in negative sentences…

• Going to a dentist is not fun!
• Doing a long boring exam is not fun.
• Nobody laughed because his joke was not funny.
• An accident is never funny. (Well, it’s not supposed to be funny!)

Are the following situations fun or funny?

• A party with your friends is…
• A clown is…
• Playing a game is…
• A friend tells you a great joke. The joke is…
• Visiting new places is…

Fun (Can be an Adjective or a Noun)

Fun is when you enjoy yourself and have a good time

For example: An amusement park is FUN because you enjoy yourself and have a good time there

Funny (Can be just an Adjective)

Funny can be a situation, a person or thing makes you laugh

For example: A comedian is funny because he/she will tell you jokes that make you laugh

Funny = Strange

Sometimes FUNNY means strange or difficult to explain.

• I have a funny feeling that something bad is going to happen.
• That’s funny, I though I had left my keys on the table, not in my bag.
• This soup tastes funny.

Fun as a noun
Fun (noun) = enjoyment or pleasure

• I had lots of fun at the party last night.
• We hope you have fun at the beach tomorrow!

Fun (noun) can also be used to describe the good humor and playful behavior of a person.

• She is not boring at all, she is actually full of fun.

Are you a fun person or funny person?