different between funny vs witticism

English

Pronunciation

• (US) enPR: f?n??, IPA^(key): /?f?ni/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?f?ni/, /?f?n?/
• (Northern England) IPA^(key): /?f?n?/
• Rhymes: -?ni

Etymology 1

From fun +? -y.

Adjective

funny (comparative funnier, superlative funniest)

1. Amusing; humorous; comical. [from the mid-18th c.]

   When I went to the circus, I only found the clowns funny.

2. Strange or unusual, often implying unpleasant. [from the early 19th c.]

   The milk smelt funny so I poured it away.

   I've got a funny feeling that this isn't going to work.

3. (Britain, informal) Showing unexpected resentment.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:funny
• See also Thesaurus:strange

Derived terms

Related terms

• fun

Translations

Noun

funny (plural funnies)

1. (informal) A joke.
2. (informal) A comic strip.

Translations

Adverb

funny (not comparable)

1. (nonstandard) In an unusual manner; strangely.

Etymology 2

Perhaps a jocular use of funny. See above.

Noun

funny (plural funnies)

1. (Britain) A narrow clinker-built boat for sculling.

Translations

English

Etymology

witty +? -icism; coined in the 1670s by John Dryden, by analogy to criticism.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?w?.t?.s?z.?m/

Noun

witticism (plural witticisms)

1. a witty remark
   • 1883: George Eliot, The Essays of George Eliot, chapter 4

     Shock of the witticism is a powerful one; while mere fun will have no power over them if it jar on their moral taste.

   • 2015: Hans Rollman, Freedom of Speech: It’s Complicated, PopMatters

     While the occasional wry witticism seeps through, overall Shipler is painfully conscientious about trying to offer both sides of any debate.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:joke

Translations

See also

• bon mot
• gag
• jape
• joke
• one-liner