punning

P3U1N1N1I1N1G2
/ˈpʌnɪŋ/

noun

The action of the verb to pun.

“The spoonerism "Burly Chassis" is a punning reference to Shirley Bassey's voluptuous figure.”

Similar
punwordplayparonomasia
UncommonScrabble 10
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Meanings

verb
  1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of pun
nounpunning (countable and uncountable, plural punnings)

plural punnings

  1. countableuncountableThe action of the verb to pun.
adjective
  1. That makes or uses a pun.

    The spoonerism "Burly Chassis" is a punning reference to Shirley Bassey's voluptuous figure.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna humorous play on words

Similar
punwordplayparonomasia
Broader
funplaysport
Also see
paronomasiapunpunnerywordplay

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with punning

runningstunningcunningshunningclock is running
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

punning. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/punning

MLA

“punning.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/punning. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “punning,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/punning.

Source: punning on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.