Learn different ways to say funny in English. It will help you to broaden your vocabulary, to have different ways to say the same thing.
When you’re writing or even when you’re speaking to people, you shouldn’t use the same word over and over again.
And if you’re preparing for IELTS or another type of English examination, then it’s really really important to have a wider vocabulary. So when you’re writing an essay, you’re not repeating the same word in the first paragraph, the second paragraph and so on.
Hopefully, with these exercises, I’ll give you a little bit of encouragement to help you to use different words.
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Harry
Other ways to say funny in English
Hi, there this is Harry and welcome back to my advanced English lessons.
Today, I’m going to talk to you about the word ‘funny’ and different ways to say funny in English.
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- What you'll learn:
- better understanding of more complex grammar structures
- advanced English vocabulary words
- British & American slang
- perfect your listening skills through practing different accents
- This marathon is for you if you're:
- stuck at an intermediate English level
- tired of confusing explanations
- a mature student
- shy & introverted
Let’s take the first one then:
amusing
Meaning: amusing is funny, but not something that is side-splitting, not the best joke you’ve ever heard, or the funniest story you’ve ever read
Examples:
He found the story amusing and would occasionally break into laughter.
Overall, I found the book amusing and fun; definitely worthwhile picking up.
The next word is
hilarious
Meaning: this is really really funny; a little bit higher level than amusing
Examples:
I found the joke hilarious and wanted to share it with everybody.
The story Adam told us was hilarious.
The first movie was hilarious, and I couldn’t wait to see the second one.
Different ways to say funny
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The next we have the word
witty
Meaning: witty is funny but in a smart or clever way; you might laugh
Example:
I love his witty remarks, but they are not always kind.
Somebody clever and smart with words would be described as witty.
The next word is
comical
Meaning: quite funny and amusing
Example:
If you get stuck in an elevator with your boss, the situation could be quite comical.
I kept reading and found that the story was comical right to the end.
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The next word is
humorous
Meaning: quite funny, a bit like comical
Examples:
Come here I’ll tell you a funny story. I’m sure you’ll find it humorous.
The photographer captured the humorous looks between me and two of my best male friends on the table next to us.
The next word I have is
wacky
Meaning: funny, but on the odd side of funny; it’s not the same as everybody
Example:
The faces Jim Carrey makes in “The Mask” are really wacky.
Another word to describe funny is the word
droll
Meaning: witty, unusual, mildly funny, but a little bit strange
Someone with a dry sense of humour.
Example:
Adam has a dry sense of humour and often makes droll remarks with a quiet smile.
The running commentary was informative and amusingly droll.
Other ways to say funny
When you check out the word funny, and you’re looking for synonyms, you probably come up against the word
entertaining
Now, in itself, ‘entertaining’ doesn’t necessarily mean it’s funny. There are lots of things in life that are entertaining, but they’re not necessarily funny.
You can go to the movies and it can be entertaining but it might be a thriller or it could be a love story, so it’s not really funny.
Or you could go to the circus and the clowns can be funny but the rest of the show can be just entertaining.
It is a synonym that people use when they’re talking about ‘funny’.
Funny is entertaining.
But everything entertaining isn’t necessarily funny.
So you have to distinguish between both funny and entertaining.
If you’re listening to a comedy show, I’m sure you’ll find it very very entertaining and hopefully you will laugh. Particularly if there are new comics with new stories.
Other ways to say funny
An expression we often hear when we talk about something that’s funny
sidesplitting
Meaning: literally I split my sides laughing; really funny, you can’t stop laughing
Example:
Honestly, his show was sidesplitting. I think I went to bed still laughing.
Another expression we often hear when we talk about something amusing or something funny is
I burst out laughing
Meaning: you just can’t stop yourself and suddenly start laughing
Example:
The situation was comical and I tried hard to keep a straight face and not to burst out laughing.
Other ways to say funny
The final expression I have for you is
it cracks me up
Or it cracked me up. This is an expression you hear in British English all the time.
Meaning: something or somebody that makes you laugh a lot
Example:
I love ‘Only Fools and Horses’, these guys really crack me up. If you watch the programme, they’ll probably crack you up as well.
So these are some different ways to say funny in English. So now you can improve your vocabulary, and you don’t have to use the same word all the time.
So you have to do a bit of practising. Let me give them to you one more time
- it is/was amusing
- hilarious
- witty
- comical
- humorous
- wacky
- droll
- entertaining
- side-splitting
- I burst out laughing
- it cracks me up
Thanks for listening and, as always, remember to subscribe to my channel and join me again soon.
More information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
20 Useful collocations with WORD
10 English verbs related to EATING
Check out advanced English lessons and detailed information on the IELTS exam and the British Council website.
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