Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To tease, mock, or laugh at someone or something in a way that is intended to be humorous, though it can sometimes be hurtful. It involves subjecting a person or thing to ridicule or scornful laughter.

Usage

• The verb "make fun" is almost always followed by the preposition "of" to form the phrasal verb "make fun of." This construction is required to connect the action to its target.
• It describes the act of joking about someone or something, often by highlighting their perceived weaknesses, oddities, or mistakes.
• The tone can range from light-hearted and friendly to mean-spirited and bullying, depending on the context and intent.

Examples

• Verb:
  • It's cruel to make fun of someone for their accent.
  • The older siblings always made fun of his taste in music.
  • They made fun of the way the politician pronounced that difficult word.

Advanced Usage

• "to make fun": While the standalone phrase is grammatically possible, it is exceptionally rare. In nearly all cases, the full phrasal verb "make fun of" is used.
  • His humor doesn't insult; he just makes fun. (Uncommon usage)
• The target of "make fun of" can be a person, a group, an idea, or a thing.

Variants and Related Words

• Mock (verb): To tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner. Often implies a more serious or derisive tone than "make fun of."
• Ridicule (verb/noun): To subject someone or something to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior. Stronger and more formal than "make fun of."
• Tease (verb): To make fun of or attempt to provoke in a playful or unkind way. Can be gentler and more affectionate than "make fun of."
• Roast (verb, informal): To humorously mock and criticize someone, especially as part of a public event honoring them.

Synonyms

• Poke fun at: A very close synonym, often interchangeable with "make fun of."
• Laugh at: To show amusement or scorn toward someone or something.
• Joke about: To speak humorously regarding someone or something.
• Deride: To express contempt for; to ridicule. More formal and harsh.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Make fun of: This is the primary and essential phrasal verb form. It cannot be separated; the object always comes after "of."
  • Correct: She made fun of his hat.
  • Incorrect: She made his hat fun of.

Related Idioms

• Laughing stock: A person or thing subjected to general ridicule. This is the result of being "made fun of."
  • After the embarrassing mistake, he became the laughing stock of the office.
• Take something in good fun: To not be offended by teasing or mockery.
  • He can take a joke in good fun, so it's okay to tease him a little.

Verb

1. subject to laughter or ridicule
   • The satirists ridiculed the plans for a new opera house
   • The students poked fun at the inexperienced teacher
   • His former students roasted the professor at his 60th birthday