comedy

noun

com·​e·​dy ˈkä-mə-dē 

plural comedies

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

the ancient Roman comedies of Plautus

2

a

: a drama of light and amusing character and typically with a happy ending

a comedy about parenthood

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

Synonyms

• humor
• satire

Examples of comedy in a Sentence

The new comedy is the network's most popular television show.

The movie includes a lot of physical comedy.

We couldn't help laughing out loud at the comedy of the situation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The comedian will perform a comedy show at Lincoln Center Theater's Claire Tow Theater in New York City in November. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Oct. 2025

Whitney Cummings is the latest comedian to defend performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, which sparked widespread backlash in the comedy industry for its ties to the Saudi Arabia government. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025

Emily’s original work blends absurd comedy, colorful world-building, and cultural critique, often centering outsiders who are trying—and failing—in deeply funny ways, to understand themselves and each other. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025

The comedy aired on NBC for seven seasons beginning in April 2009. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing comedy

• comedy drama
• comedy of errors
• comedy of manners
• cringe comedy
• high comedy
• low comedy
• musical comedy
• romantic comedy
• situation comedy

Rhymes for comedy

• tragicomedy

Kids Definition

comedy

noun

com·​e·​dy ˈkäm-əd-ē 

plural comedies

1

: a light amusing play with a happy ending

2

: a comic literary work

3

a

: an amusing or ridiculous event

b

: humorous entertainment