Is it fun or funny?

These two words are often confused. Many students use the word ‘funny’ for every situation, but the words fun and funny actually mean different things. Read this blog and find out which word you really meant to use: fun or funny!

Fun means enjoyable

Fun can be an uncountable noun and an adjective. Think about this: are you enjoying yourself? Are you having a good time? If you are, you can say this situation is fun!

I went biking around Stanley Park yesterday. It was so fun!

Michael is a fun guy who always thinks of something interesting to do.

Funny means humorous

Funny is an adjective. It is used to describe things that are amusing. Does it make you laugh? Are you chuckling or giggling? If so, this is funny!

Jim Carrey is a really funny actor!

That movie was so funny, my stomach hurts from laughing!

Funny sometimes means strange

Sometimes, the word funny can also mean that something is weird or strange. For example:

Hmmm, this milk tastes funny. What is the expiry date?

Oh, I don’t have my debit card in my wallet! That’s funny. I always put it in there. I wonder what I did with it?

Choose your words carefully!

Wrong: I went to a hockey game last night. It was so funny!

Right: I went to a hockey game last night. It was so fun!

Right: The hockey player danced like crazy after he scored a goal. It was so funny!

Wrong: Biking is funnier than jogging.

Right: Biking is more fun than jogging.

Right: My jokes are funnier than yours!

Sometimes, either fun or funny are possible. It depends on what you really want to highlight – the fact that you laughed a lot, or the fact that you enjoyed yourself. Think carefully!