Rules of Thumb

Fun and Funny

If you have problems with the words "fun" and "funny," look at these two sentences and see if you can feel the difference:

1. George is so funny. Every time I talk to him he makes me laugh.

2. I really enjoy going to the beach. It's so fun!

Both words are adjectives.

We use "fun" to say that something is enjoyable; we like doing it.

We use "funny" to talk about things that make us laugh.

Funny
- Larry's joke about the Portuguese student was so funny I almost died laughing.
- Chaplin’s movies are always funny. Everyone in the theater ends up laughing.
- Rose is really funny. She has a great sense of humor, and always makes people laugh.

Fun

- My vacation in Rio was so fun! I went to Copacabana beach and to the Sugar Loaf.
- Jane's a really fun girl. It's always an adventure going out with her.
- Thank you for inviting me to your birthday party. It was really fun.
- I don't like going windsurfing. I think going to the movies is much more fun.