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 of comedy

• 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

Chow followed it with Kung Fu Hustle (2004), another genre-blending smash that earned more than $100 million worldwide and cemented his reputation as one of Hong Kong’s greatest comedy-action hitmakers. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Horror, or in this case, dark comedy with some killing, is also a welcome form of escapism. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

That morning, David had invited his friend and fellow comedy writer, Alan Zweibel and Zweibel’s wife, Robin, to join David, his wife Laurie, and their new baby Cazzie for breakfast at the club. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026

Check it out… ‘Will Cain Country' explores culture, sports, and comedy with Danny Polishchuk and Brian Kilmeade. — FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

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

• psalmody
• 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