Cool MateEntertaining vs That's very funny
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Entertaining
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
That's very funny
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Entertaining
| Entertaining | That's very funny | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌentəˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌentərˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˈvɛri ˈfʌni//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˈvɛri ˈfʌni// |
| Meaning | Fun and enjoyable to watch or listen to. | It makes me laugh a lot. |
| Example | an entertaining speech/evening | His joke was so clever; that's very funny! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, sound, become, extremely, fairly, very, entertaining and informative | that's very funny indeed, that's very funny you mention it, that's very funny, isn't it |
| Antonyms | boring, uninspiring, dull | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'entertaining' with 'entertainment', Using 'entertaining' to describe something boring, Saying 'entertaining to watch' instead of 'entertaining to watch' | Mixing with 'That's so funny' which is less intense., Using in serious discussions where humor is inappropriate., Incorrectly using it when something is not funny at all. |
| Usage notes | Use 'entertaining' when describing movies, shows, or activities that hold people's interest. It's appropriate in casual conversations and formal contexts, but avoid using it in technical or serious discussions about content quality. | Use when something is humorous or amusing. Common in casual conversations among friends. Avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Entertaining vs That's very funny
What's the difference between Entertaining and That's very funny?
Entertaining: Fun and enjoyable to watch or listen to. That's very funny: It makes me laugh a lot.
Which is more formal: Entertaining and That's very funny?
Entertaining is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Entertaining: an entertaining speech/evening That's very funny: His joke was so clever; that's very funny!
Can I use Entertaining and That's very funny interchangeably?
Not always. Entertaining and That's very funny are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.