Most common verbs are weird and wacky yet fun to use. If you want to expand your vocabulary and use more funny verbs in speech and writing to unleash your creativity, this list of words is what you need.
If you don’t know what a verb is, check our verb guide, where we talk about different types of verbs like irregular verbs, verb tenses like past tense, and some examples of action verbs.
Skedaddling
“To skedaddle” means you leave immediately or you run away. For example, your kid may skedaddle when they break your neighbor’s window. You might also “skedaddle” from a meeting when the other attendees are late.
Skedaddle is an intransitive verb which means that the verb will show your complete action without the need for direct objects. This word dates back to the 19th century when American Military used it as slang.
Example: I skedaddled to the hospital when I received the news that my son was not doing fine.
Flimflamming
“Flimflam” is a funny verb that you can use instead of “swindle” or “cheat.”
“Flimflamming” is a transitive verb, meaning you will use an object to complete the action. You should also use this type of word using active voice.
Example: The man is flimflamming the old lady out of her retirement money.
Bamboozle
You are “bamboozling” when pretending to be all good, yet you have wrong motives. Do not confuse this word with advertising, as many people link advertisements to bamboozling.
Example: He bamboozled the lecturer into thinking he was sick
Titter
When you titter, you laugh nervously, especially when you can’t keep it in. Tittering always happens when you shouldn’t be laughing. For instance, when your friend cracks a joke in the library. Another example is when you are at dinner, and your elder sister makes a nasty joke about your mother’s outfit. So, you will end up laughing when you were not supposed to.
Example: She tittered when the teacher gave out guidelines for the assignment.
Schmooze
When you talk in a casual or lively way, you are “schmoozing.” That is a good quality if your profession, like politician or hostess, deals with interacting with many people. You can also “schmooze” to share your business card or just for fun.
The intransitive verb originates from a Yiddish “shmuesn,” which means to chat.
Example: He stopped at the reception to schmooze with the receptionists.
Festooned
If you are decorating your place for Halloween, you are “festooning.” The term “festoon” comes from the Italian word “festone,” meaning feast, and can describe the action of erecting a decoration. Of course, floral materials are typical for festoons, but you can also use fabric or paper chains for decorating.
Example: He was festooning his room when his mother called.
Futz
This intransitive verb is actually slang for “to fool around” or waste time, but it can also mean to idle. For example, when your friend arrives uninvited at your home to “futz” around.
Example: He futzed around before joining the class.
Ballyhoo
When you see a business trying hard to win a customer, you refer to that as ballyhooing. You will often see them using a lot of noise to call customers’ attention. You can use the intransitive verb when you feel the thing is not as worthy as people claim. You can also add a -ed suffix.
Example: The enterprise ballyhooed the event for the entire month while other activities continued.
Squirrel Away
The transitive phrasal funny verbs show a scenario where you hide something away until it is the right time. Can you believe the picture is that of a squirrel that usually hides its food for winter?
Example: I bought some Christmas presents in October and squirreled them away until December.
Badger
The word “badger” is not only a noun; it is also a verb, especially when you annoy somebody else by repeatedly telling them what to do or asking them the same question.
Example: My former employer keeps badgering me to come back.
