What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
amusing
Example
The comedian's jokes were amusing and kept the audience engaged. [amusing: adjective]
Example
The children found the clown's tricks amusing and laughed out loud. [amusing: gerund or present participle]
funny
Example
The movie was so funny that I couldn't stop laughing. [funny: adjective]
Example
The comedian's jokes were so funny that the audience was in tears. [funny: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Funny is more commonly used than amusing in everyday language. Funny is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while amusing is less common and may be considered more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between amusing and funny?
Amusing is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while funny is more informal and may not be appropriate in formal settings.
