somewhat funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat funny" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is amusing to a certain degree, but not overwhelmingly so. Example: "The comedian's latest routine was somewhat funny, but it didn't make me laugh as much as his previous shows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

That being the case, being rated "somewhat funny" after thousands of years does count for something.

The New Yorker

It's somewhat funny that they made a big deal out of a wristband".

The New York Times - Sports

"I always find the term somewhat funny, and in this day and age, a misnomer," she said.

The New York Times

Even the best of these oldsters never crested a rating of 3, which signified only "somewhat funny".

The New Yorker

But remember the criterion: not what strikes you as funny right now but what would be at least "somewhat funny" in the next millennium.

The New Yorker

Which is somewhat funny coming from someone who has pushed the boundaries of not only what is interesting in fashion photography but also what is important to say about today's culture.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Fictional characters like Jeanette Dunwoody and the acting coach D'Uberville L'Avignon periodically chime in, as well -- a technique that deserves plaudits for brashness but is somewhat funnier in theory than in practice.

The New York Times - Arts

Pretty funny.

TechCrunch

John Lurie, famous as a member of the chameleonlike jazz group the Lounge Lizards, as well as a composer, arranger and actor, may also become known as a funny, somewhat sex-crazed self-taught artist.

The New York Times

He said the aim was to make the show "funny, and somewhat fresh".

The New York Times

The sight of John swinging in the air in a bathtub is funny, but somewhat less funny in view of the fact that this man's first thought, when told of the coming deluge, was for his wife: "Alas, my wife!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat funny" when you want to express that something has a degree of humor without being overwhelmingly hilarious. It's suitable for describing situations, comments, or events that elicit a mild chuckle or smile.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat funny" when something is genuinely hilarious. Using it in such cases can be an understatement that diminishes the intended impact of the humor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat funny" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically an adverb ("somewhat") modifying an adjective ("funny"). It describes the degree or extent to which something is humorous. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat funny" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to indicate a moderate degree of humor. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate to use it in everyday language and is suitable for most contexts. While not the most impactful way to describe something hilarious, it effectively communicates a mild sense of amusement. The phrase is prevalent in various sources, including news and media, making it a versatile option for describing a situation that evokes a chuckle or smile. When a stronger sentiment is needed you can try "mildly amusing", "slightly humorous" or "a little funny".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mildly amusing

Indicates a slight degree of amusement, similar to "somewhat funny" but with a focus on amusement rather than humor.

slightly humorous

Emphasizes the presence of humor to a small extent, comparable to "somewhat funny".

moderately comical

Suggests a medium level of comedic quality, a bit more formal than "somewhat funny".

a little amusing

Implies a small amount of amusement, like "somewhat funny" but less formal.

kind of funny

An informal way to express that something is funny to some degree, similar in tone to "somewhat funny".

vaguely humorous

Indicates that the humor is not strong or distinct, sharing the understated quality of "somewhat funny".

pretty funny

Suggests a bit more funniness than "somewhat funny".

reasonably amusing

Expresses that something is amusing to a fair degree, a more formal alternative to "somewhat funny".

noticeably humorous

Highlights that the humor is perceptible, unlike "somewhat funny" which is about the intensity of it.

slightly droll

Uses a more refined term, "droll", to convey a similar understated humor.

FAQs

What does "somewhat funny" mean?

The phrase "somewhat funny" means that something is amusing or humorous to a certain extent, but not extremely so. It indicates a moderate degree of funniness.

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

You can use "somewhat funny" to describe something that made you smile or chuckle, but didn't have you rolling on the floor laughing. For example, "The comedian's jokes were "somewhat funny", but I've heard better from him."

What can I say instead of "somewhat funny"?

You can use alternatives like "mildly amusing", "slightly humorous", or "a little funny" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a somewhat funny" or "somewhat funny"?

The correct phrase is "somewhat funny". The article "a" is not needed before "somewhat" because it acts as an adverb modifying the adjective "funny".