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play on words
noun
- a pun or the act of punning.
play on words
noun
- another term for pun 1
Idioms and Phrases
A word or turn of phrase with a double meaning, a pun or other humorous use of language. For example, Shakespeare was a master at plays on words—his dramas are full of puns . [First half of 1700s]Compare Meanings
How does play on words compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
A play on words with gold rush, it began in earnest around 2008 when a series of reports identified vast mineral and hydrocarbon reserves across the Arctic region.
“The main baddies in the game were Kremlings,†Wise said, pointing out a play on words that, it is safe to say, went over the head of most 10-year-olds.
They have a cocktail there called the “Herb Your Enthusiasm,†a play on words to “Curb Your Enthusiasm.â€
Carpenter sings about her paramour’s love making her talk nonsense, leading to a sexy play on words with haiku-type outros.
Bach, who will step down as IOC president in 2025, said Paris 2024 had been "sensational, or dare I say, 'Seine-sational'" - a play on words referencing the river which flows through the host city.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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