funny pastime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "funny pastime" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity or hobby that is amusing or entertaining. Example: "Watching old comedies is a funny pastime that always lifts my spirits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While it started as a funny pastime to call out Trump for his confusing, inconsistent, and false comments, it developed into something a bit more serious.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Calling it a sport is likely to earn you funny looks from people who see it as a shady pastime that falls, on the respectability scale, somewhere south of bar darts and north of cockfighting.

Forbes

We seem preoccupied with the pastime of looking for problems, and the funny thing about looking for something is that you often find it.

The New York Times

Basketball is another encouraged pastime.

The New York Times - Magazine

What separates pastime from disorder?

The New York Times - Books

Conversation was the principal pastime.

The New York Times

Chess is another popular pastime.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Funny, funny!

The New Yorker

Surfing is a simple pastime.

The New York Times

Basketball was another pastime.

The New York Times - Sports

Favorite airport pastime?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "funny pastime", ensure the context clearly indicates that the activity is intended to be amusing or entertaining. It can be used to describe hobbies, games, or even unconventional activities enjoyed for their humorous aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "funny pastime" to describe activities that are serious or require great skill. The term implies lightheartedness and amusement, so it's inappropriate for contexts where gravity or expertise is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "funny pastime" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "funny" modifies the noun "pastime". It describes a specific type of pastime that is characterized by its humorous or amusing qualities. Ludwig examples show it in contexts related to hobbies and enjoyable activities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "funny pastime" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase used to describe activities or hobbies that are amusing and entertaining. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its frequency is relatively low, primarily appearing in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys the lighthearted nature of an enjoyable activity. For more formal settings, alternatives like "amusing hobby" or "entertaining activity" might be more appropriate. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with the intended humorous or lighthearted nature of the described activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hilarious pastime

Directly replaces "funny" with "hilarious" while retaining the original meaning.

amusing hobby

Focuses on the enjoyable aspect of a hobby rather than just a general activity.

entertaining activity

Emphasizes the aspect of providing entertainment.

humorous pursuit

Highlights the humor involved in the activity.

lighthearted amusement

Stresses the cheerful and carefree nature of the activity.

comical recreation

Emphasizes the comical aspect of the recreational activity.

whimsical diversion

Highlights the playful and imaginative nature of the activity.

jovial entertainment

Focuses on the joyous and cheerful nature of the entertainment.

droll activity

Emphasizes the dry or understated humor of the activity.

laughable pursuit

Highlights the humor that derives from the activity that may be viewed as silly.

FAQs

How can I use "funny pastime" in a sentence?

You can use "funny pastime" to describe an activity that is enjoyable and amusing, like "Watching old comedies is a "funny pastime" that always lifts my spirits".

What are some alternatives to "funny pastime"?

Alternatives include "amusing hobby", "entertaining activity", or "humorous pursuit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "funny pastime" formal or informal?

"Funny pastime" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversation or writing. More formal contexts might benefit from using alternatives like "entertaining activity".

What makes an activity a "funny pastime"?

An activity can be considered a "funny pastime" if it provides amusement and enjoyment, often through humor or lightheartedness. It is something done for recreation that brings laughter or smiles.