'funfair' originates from the combination of 'fun' and 'fair', where 'fun' meant 'enjoyment' and 'fair' referred to a public event with entertainment.

'funfair' evolved from the traditional 'fair' which was a market or event with entertainment, eventually becoming the modern English word 'funfair'.

Initially, it meant 'a fair with entertainment', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.