Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

i'm not being funny

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.94 in modern English

Syllables: i'm not be-ing -fun-ny
IPA

26

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

4

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

Used as a softening preface to a statement that might be taken as offensive or malicious.

British usage

Example Sentences

"Clara: Well, I'm not being funny, but those clothes aren't really suitable for having meetings with clients. John: Really? Clara: I think so – a shirt and tie, or suit and shirt would be better."
"I'm not being funny, but you make me nervous."
"You know, I'm not being funny, but, you know, when he's with all his cool new 'creative' mates. They ain't real, Tony. They ain't like us. They sit around, with ironic trousers on and three haircuts each, waiting to be discovered."

Usage

British usage

Questions

What does i'm not being funny mean?: Used as a softening preface to a statement that might be taken as offensive or malicious.

How to pronounce i'm not being funny

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