slapstick

slap·stick

noun \ˈslap-ˌstik\

Definition of SLAPSTICK

1

: a device made of two flat pieces of wood fastened at one end so as to make a loud noise when used by an actor to strike a person

2

: comedy stressing farce and horseplay; also : activity resembling slapstick

— slapstick adjective

— slap·sticky \-ˌsti-kē\ adjective

Examples of SLAPSTICK

1. <an actor whose roles range from slapstick to serious drama>
2. <a lowbrow comedy that relies heavily on slapstick for its laughs>

First Known Use of SLAPSTICK

1896

Related to SLAPSTICK

Synonyms: farce, humor, comedy

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

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Performing Arts Terms

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

Rhymes with SLAPSTICK

airsick, big stick, bluetick, bootlick, boychick, brainsick, broomstick, carsick, Chadwick, chick flick, chopstick, cowlick, crabstick, dabchick, deer tick, detick, dik-dik, dipstick, dog tick, drop-kick, drumstick, ear pick, firebrick, fish stick, flagstick, Fosdick, free kick, frog kick, goal kick, goldbrick, greensick, handpick, hat trick, hayrick, heartsick, homesick, ice pick, joss stick, joystick, lipstick, lovesick, matchstick, muzhik, nightstick, nitpick, nonstick, nutpick, odd trick, oil slick, Old Nick, outslick, peacenik, pigstick, pinprick, placekick, Prestwick, quick kick, redbrick, Renwick, rubric, salt lick, seasick, self-stick, shashlik, sidekick, squib kick, Tajik, toothpick, topkick, unpick, unstick, uptick, wood tick, yardstick