Punned

Past tense of 'pun', the word 'punned' refers to the act of making a pun—a humorous play on words that exploits the multiple meanings of a term or similar-sounding words for comedic or rhetorical effect. Puns are often used in literature, conversation, and comedy to create wit, engage audiences, or illustrate a point humorously. The essence of punned communication lies in clever wordplay.

Punned meaning with examples

• At the party, Sarah punned about the similarities between the grape and the raisin, leaving her friends in stitches as she joked, 'They went through a drying-out phase and came out a bit wrinkled!' Her ability to make light of everyday topics through puns made her the life of the gathering.
• During the meeting, John punned about the increasing workload, saying, 'I guess our work is really piling up—just like the paperwork on my desk!' His humor lightened the atmosphere, prompting laughter while also addressing the seriousness of their tasks.
• In her stand-up routine, Lisa punned about her love for books, quipping, 'I have a novel idea to improve my reading; I think I’ll start with something that isn’t only spine-tingling!' The clever wordplay earned her enthusiastic applause and solidified her reputation for quick wit.
• While telling a story about his cat, Kevin punned, 'My feline friend is more than just a pet; she's a real purr-sonality!' His clever use of language charmed his audience, highlighting the joy animals bring to our lives through laughter and creativity.
• As the chef presented his award-winning dish, he punned, 'This pasta dish is so good it should be voted a-maize-ing!' His humorous wordplay piqued everyone's appetite and set a playful tone for the culinary event, showcasing his personality alongside his culinary skills.