less fun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less fun" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not as enjoyable as it could be, or to compare two activities or experiences. For example: "Going to the amusement park was less fun this year because the rollercoaster was closed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Less fun.

The New York Times - Books

A little less fun.

The New York Times

Less fun lies ahead.

The Economist

It's less fun.

The New Yorker

That's less fun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And less fun, perhaps.

The New York Times

The left's is less fun.

The Guardian

He became less fun and the work became less fun.

The New Yorker

It's less fun than Fallon.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Except mud is less fun.

The Guardian - Music

He also had less fun.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less fun", consider the specific aspect of enjoyment that is diminished. For instance, instead of saying "the party was less fun", specify why: "the party was less fun because the music was too loud".

Common error

Avoid using "less fun" as a blanket statement without providing context. Saying "work is less fun" is vague. Instead, specify which aspects are "less fun": "Team meetings are less fun since the new manager took over".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less fun" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a reduced level of enjoyment or amusement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a common and grammatically sound way to express a relative lack of pleasure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less fun" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a diminished level of enjoyment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources, mainly from News & Media. While it's appropriate for general use, specifying the cause or aspect that's "less fun" will add clarity and improve the effectiveness of your writing. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "less enjoyable". Remember to avoid overgeneralizations and provide sufficient context to make your meaning clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as enjoyable

Focuses on the diminished level of enjoyment.

not as amusing

Emphasizes the reduced level of amusement.

less entertaining

Highlights the decrease in entertainment value.

not as pleasurable

Highlights that something is not so satisfying.

not as delightful

Indicates a lower level of delight.

somewhat boring

Describes something as tending towards boredom.

a bit duller

Indicates a slight decrease in excitement or interest.

not as exciting

Expresses a reduction in excitement.

a chore

Implies the activity feels like an obligation rather than a source of joy.

a drag

Conveys the sense of something tedious and unwelcome.

FAQs

How can I use "less fun" in a sentence?

You can use "less fun" to describe situations or activities that are not as enjoyable as others. For example, "Studying for exams is "less fun" than going to the beach".

What's a more formal alternative to "less fun"?

While "less fun" is generally acceptable, a more formal alternative could be "less enjoyable". For instance, "The conference was "less enjoyable" than anticipated".

Is it correct to say "least fun" instead of "less fun"?

Yes, "least fun" is also correct, but it implies something is the absolute least enjoyable, whereas "less fun" simply means not as enjoyable as something else. For example, "Cleaning the bathroom is the "least fun" chore in the house".

What can I say instead of "less fun" to express mild disappointment?

To express mild disappointment, you could use phrases like "not as amusing", "slightly boring", or "a bit duller" instead of "less fun". For example, "The movie was "not as amusing" as I had hoped".