unfunny joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfunny joke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a joke that fails to elicit laughter or is perceived as lacking humor. Example: "Everyone fell silent after the punchline; it was clearly an unfunny joke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He starts off making the first of many unsuccessful requests for his airfare, a decreasingly unfunny joke as the movie goes on.

The Guardian - Film

When Davis arrives, finally, the mood music ratchets up a notch but as he leaps up onstage to deliver a shockingly unfunny joke about a woman and a diamond ring, the microphone breaks.

The Guardian

— Gone are the shouts of "Fried chicken!" that pierced the quiet during Sergio García's swing at the United States Open, in response to García's unfunny joke that he would have his adversary, Tiger Woods, over to dinner and serve him, of all dishes, that one.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, it's a hardy soul who makes it all the way through, say, the version of She's So High that consists of the two-line chorus repeated in a strangulated yodel for 11 minutes, punctuated by slap bass, or the three versions of Red Necks, a grindingly unfunny joke country track from the CD single of End of the Century.

The Guardian - Music

We lie every time we type "lol" at an unfunny joke, which is most jokes.

Vice

In a world where we urgently need serious action on climate change, this is an unfunny joke.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Unfunny jokes.

The New York Times

There was another of his unfunny jokes.

The New Yorker

Forget love - that ship sailed when you were born - to use one of your unfunny jokes.

Independent

You can concentrate on your performance, not on dredging humor out of unfunny jokes or tears out of unconvincing moments.

The New York Times

Poor Mr. Pastore becomes the butt of endless unfunny jokes demonstrating his character's stupidity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a joke as "unfunny", be specific about why it failed to be humorous. Consider the audience, context, and delivery.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling a joke as "unfunny" without providing any constructive feedback. Explain what made it fall short of being humorous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfunny joke" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "unfunny" modifies the noun "joke". This phrase typically serves to describe or categorize a specific type of joke.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Vice

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfunny joke" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a joke that fails to elicit humor. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to negatively evaluate a joke, expressing disapproval or a lack of amusement. While the phrase is simple, it can be strengthened by providing specific reasons for the joke's failure. It is versatile enough for use in neutral contexts, appearing frequently in news and media. Remember to consider the audience and delivery when assessing why a joke is "unfunny". Alternatives such as "bad joke" or "lame joke" can provide slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad joke

Replaces "unfunny" with a more general term for poor quality.

lame joke

Suggests the joke is weak or uninspired.

failed joke

Emphasizes the lack of success in eliciting humor.

weak joke

Indicates the joke is feeble or lacks impact.

poorly delivered joke

Focuses on the performance aspect, implying the delivery contributed to the lack of humor.

humorless joke

Highlights the complete absence of humor.

joke that fell flat

Describes the joke's reception and lack of success.

unsuccessful attempt at humor

Emphasizes the intent and its failure.

joke that bombed

Uses a slang term to indicate the joke was very poorly received.

dull joke

Suggests the joke is boring and uninteresting.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "unfunny joke"?

You can use alternatives like "bad joke", "lame joke", or "joke that fell flat" depending on the context.

How to use "unfunny joke" in a sentence?

You can use "unfunny joke" to describe a joke that failed to elicit laughter or amusement. For example: "The comedian told an "unfunny joke", and the audience remained silent."

What makes a joke an "unfunny joke"?

A joke can be considered an "unfunny joke" if it lacks wit, is poorly delivered, is irrelevant to the audience, or relies on offensive stereotypes. These factors can contribute to a joke's failure to amuse.

Is "unfunny joke" grammatically correct?

Yes, "unfunny joke" is grammatically correct. "Unfunny" is an adjective that appropriately modifies the noun "joke".