Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!) Easter eggs (New!)

Literary notes about funny (AI summary)

The word "funny" in literature serves multiple roles, ranging from pure humor to an expression of irony or the oddity of everyday life. It is often used to describe eccentric characters or bizarre situations that invite amusement—such as a “funny looking boy” or an unusual hat that prompts light-hearted banter ([1], [2]). At the same time, "funny" can convey a subtle commentary on social conventions or highlight the absurdity inherent in serious circumstances, as seen when laughter intersects with gravity or personal sentiment ([3], [4]). This flexible usage enriches narrative tone by blending levity with deeper insights, demonstrating how humor can both entertain and provoke reflection ([5], [6]).
  1. He was a funny looking boy about twelve.
    — from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  2. “Halloo, Juan!” exclaimed his friend, “where did you get that funny hat?” Juan looked serious, and said, “Don’t be foolish!
    — from Filipino Popular Tales
  3. “It certainly is a funny world, but so long as men like my husband and his sons govern it, I think it’ll never be a bad one—never really bad.”
    — from Howards End by E. M. Forster
  4. It was really quite extraordinarily funny.
    — from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein
  5. They were not intended to be funny, but they were,—funny for the very gravity which the speaker put into his flowing miracles of incongruity.
    — from Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain
  6. Pollyanna laughed—Mr. Pendleton was such a funny man!
    — from Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, Scrabble


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy