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Meaning of play on words | Babel Free

Noun CEFR C1

Definitions

A pun, or similar humorous use of language such as a double entendre.

idiomatic

Equivalents

العربية جناس
Català joc de paraules
Ελληνικά λογοπαίγνιο
Suomi sanaleikki
Français jeu de mots
Gàidhlig cluich
Íslenska orðaleikur
日本語 語呂合わせ
Latina dicacitas
Русский игра слов
Tiếng Việt chơi chữ

Examples

“1794, Mr. Malone's Edition of Shakſpeare's Works, in The Monthly Review Or Literary Journal Enlarged [2nd Series], Volume 13, R. Griffiths, page 265, Mr. Steevens alſo, influenced we ſuppoſe by the authority of Dr. Farmer, ſeems by the way in which he regulates the line in his new edition, to think that Shakſpeare here meaned no more than a play on words.”
“1897, Jas. W. Tupper, English Drama: Das Wortspiel bei Shakspere, von Leopold Wurth, A. Marshall Elliott (managing editor), Modern Language Notes, Volume XII, page 171, There are two general classes under which all the examples are grouped: plays on words which are due to a double meaning, and the plays merely on sound (die Laut- oder Klaugspiele). The term for the latter group Dr. Wurth gives as puns, punnings.”
“19. The original play on words here is between furlani (decree) and hurlani (date).”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

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