comedy

com·e·dy

noun \ˈkä-mə-dē\

plural com·e·dies

Definition of COMEDY

1

a : a medieval narrative that ends happily <Dante's Divine Comedy> b : a literary work written in a comic style or treating a comic theme

2

a : a drama of light and amusing character and typically with a happy ending b : the genre of dramatic literature dealing with the comic or with the serious in a light or satirical manner — compare tragedy

3

: a ludicrous or farcical event or series of events <a comedy of errors>

4

a : the comic element <the comedy of many life situations> b : humorous entertainment <nightclub comedy>

Examples of COMEDY

1. The new comedy is the network's most popular television show.
2. The movie includes a lot of physical comedy.
3. We couldn't help laughing out loud at the comedy of the situation.

Origin of COMEDY

Middle English, from Medieval Latin comoedia, from Latin, drama with a happy ending, from Greek kōmōidia, from kōmos revel + aeidein to sing — more at ode

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COMEDY

Synonyms: farce, humor, slapstick

Antonyms: pathos

Related Words: high comedy, low comedy; burlesque, parody, satire; improv, stand-up; banter, drollery, persiflage, wit; foolery, fun, horseplay, knockabout, monkeyshine(s), shenanigan(s)

Near Antonyms: agony, anguish, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, misery, sorrow, torment, torture, tribulation, woe; gravity, seriousness, soberness, solemnity, solemnness, somberness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

Rhymes with COMEDY

psalmody