What is pun intended?

"Pun intended" is a phrase used to acknowledge that a pun—an intended play on words or a clever use of language—has been made. Puns are often used to create humor through the use of similar-sounding words or phrases with different meanings. By using "pun intended," the speaker or writer is explicitly noting the wordplay, which can help ensure that the audience recognizes the pun as purposeful and not an accidental oversight or miscommunication.

Puns can take various forms, such as homophonic puns (using words that sound alike but have different meanings) and homographic puns (using words that are spelled the same but have different meanings). Sometimes, the phrase is used humorously or sarcastically to underscore a particularly obvious or groan-worthy pun, adding to the comedic effect.