# unfunny

/ʌnfˈʌni/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unfunny
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

not making you laugh or smile. You use it for jokes, shows, or people that try to be funny but fail.

For teachers: lacking humour; failing to amuse or provoke laughter. Often describes jokes, performances, or attempts at humour that fall flat.

## Examples

- That joke is unfunny and nobody laughs.
- He keeps repeating the same unfunny joke at work and his colleagues just smile politely.
- What makes the sitcom disappointing is not its low budget but its relentlessly unfunny dialogue, which mistakes loud delivery for genuine wit.

## Synonyms

unamusing

## Antonyms

funny, amusing, hilarious, humorous

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.