Phrase guide

play on words

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A pun, or similar humorous use of language such as a double entendre.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • 1794, Mr. Malone's Edition of Shakspeare's Works, in The Monthly Review Or Literary Journal Enlarged [2nd Series], Volume 13, R. Griffiths, page 265, Mr. Steevens also, influenced we suppose by the authority of Dr. Farmer, seems by the way in which he regulates the line in his new edition, to think that Shakspeare here meaned no more than a play on words.
  • 1897, Jas. W. Tupper, English Drama: Das Wortspiel bei Shakspere, von Leopold Wurth, A. Marshall Elliott (managing editor), Modern Language Notes, Volume XII, page 171, There are two general classes under which all the examples are grouped: plays on words which are due to a double meaning, and the plays merely on sound (die Laut- oder Klaugspiele). The term for the latter group Dr. Wurth gives as puns, punnings.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: paronomasia

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: joc de paraules — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Dutch: woordgrap — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Dutch: woordspeling — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Finnish: sanaleikki — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • French: jeu de mots — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Greek: λογοπαίγνιο (logopaígnio) — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Icelandic: orðaleikur — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Italian: bisticcio di parole — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Italian: gioco di parole — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Latin: dicacitas — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Polish: gra słów — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Russian: игра́ сло́в (igrá slóv) — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Scottish Gaelic: cluich — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Scottish Gaelic: cleas-cainnte — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Serbo-Croatian: igra reči — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Serbo-Croatian: igra rečima — pun or similar humorous use of language
  • Swedish: ordlek — pun or similar humorous use of language