The
pun, also called
paronomasia, is a form of
word play that suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended
humorous or
rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use of
homophonic,
homographic,
metonymic, or
figurative language. A pun differs from a
malapropism in that a malapropism is an incorrect variation on a correct expression, while a pun involves expressions with multiple correct interpretations. Puns may be regarded as
in-jokes or
idiomatic constructions, as their usage and meaning are specific to a particular language and its culture.