burlesque

noun bur·lesque \ (ˌ)bər-ˈlesk \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: burlesque in a Sentence

Definition of burlesque

1 literature : a literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation

a burlesque of Victorian society

2 : mockery usually by caricature

a writer whose burlesque often bordered on cruelty

3 : theatrical entertainment of a broadly humorous often earthy character consisting of short turns (see ²turn 4d), comic skits, and sometimes striptease acts

performers who got their start in burlesque

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burlesque

adjective

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burlesquely

adverb

See burlesque defined for English-language learners

See burlesque defined for kids

Examples of burlesque in a Sentence

The book is a burlesque of Victorian society.
a writer whose burlesque often bordered on cruelty
Several important 20th-century performers got their start in burlesque.

Recent Examples of burlesque from the Web

The Body Political Team StarFox presents a burlesque and variety show exploring stories of the body as well as topics as gender, racial justice, age, weight/body type, mental health, sexuality and bodily autonomy.

— SFChronicle.com, "Theater capsule reviews and listings, week of June 24," 22 June 2018
After school, Stanfield wrote and directed skits on his aunt's camcorder, violent burlesques about a thug named Lil' Biggie trying to prove his manhood with a gun.

— amy nicholson, chicagotribune.com, "Is Hollywood ready for the brilliant weirdness of Lakeith Stanfield?," 3 July 2018
And there even was a final, extra layer of burlesque.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "The Only Way Paul Ryan Wins Is if Millions of Americans Lose," 20 Dec. 2017
The bartenders and steady dancers, the ones who climb catwalks rather than perform choreographed burlesque shows, are regular employees.

— amy s. rosenberg, Philly.com, "'It's surreal.' Ivan Kane revs up his Royal Jelly Burlesque Club as Revel comes back as Ocean Resort," 21 June 2018
Pride after party/show with mashups by trans DJs Adrian A and Illessandra as well as singing, burlesque, pole dancing and drag.

— chronicle staff report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Gay Pride events," 14 June 2018
Directed by Charlotte Northeast with gusto and goofiness, this is both a 19th-century melodrama and a burlesque of a 19th-century melodrama.

— toby zinman, Philly.com, "'Maria Marten' is a rowdy Victorian melodrama of love, revenge and murder," 10 June 2018
What’s your take on the intersection of burlesque and drag?

— joey guerra, Houston Chronicle, "Burlesque star Dita Von Teese can’t stop, won’t stop," 7 June 2018
Entertainment is to include Motörhead tribute band Kilmister, along with other rock, burlesque, aerial and fire-breathing acts.

— robert allen, Detroit Free Press, "Official Motörhead beer coming soon from Michigan brewery," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'burlesque.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of burlesque

burlesque, adjective, comic, droll, from French, from Italian burlesco, from burla joke, from Spanish

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1667

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

burlesque Synonyms

Synonyms

caricature, parody, put-on, send-up, spoof, takeoff, travesty;

Related Words

lampoon, mockery, satire;

comedy, farce, humor, sketch, slapstick, squib;

distortion, exaggeration;

imitation, impersonation, mimicking;

Synonym Discussion of burlesque

caricature, burlesque, parody, travesty mean a comic or grotesque imitation. caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

- caricatures of politicians in cartoons

burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment.

- a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

parody applies especially to treatment of a trivial or ludicrous subject in the exactly imitated style of a well-known author or work.

- a witty parody of a popular novel

travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd.

- this production is a travesty of the opera

Other Performing Arts Terms

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

burlesque

verb

Definition of burlesque

burlesqued; burlesquing

transitive verb

: to imitate in a humorous or derisive manner : mock

a work burlesquing Sherlock Holmes

intransitive verb

: to employ burlesque

a temptation to burlesque

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burlesquer

noun

Examples of burlesque in a Sentence

burlesquing the teacher's nervous tic isn't very nice

Origin and Etymology of burlesque

see ¹burlesque

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1676

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

burlesque Synonyms

Synonyms

caricature, do, imitate, mimic, mock, parody, send up, spoof, travesty;

Related Words

lampoon, satirize;

deride, gibe (or jibe), ridicule;

ape, copycat, monkey, parrot;

duplicate, emulate, replicate, reproduce;

act, counterfeit, dissemble, fake, feign, pretend, sham, simulate;

elaborate, embellish, embroider, exaggerate, magnify, pad, play up, stretch;

amplify, enhance, enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), overdraw, overstate, put on;

mime, pantomime;

impersonate, perform, personate, play;

BURLESQUE Defined for English Language Learners

burlesque

noun

Definition of burlesque for English Language Learners

: a play, story, novel, etc., that makes a serious subject seem funny or ridiculous
: a kind of entertainment that was popular in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and that included funny performances, singing, dancing, etc., and sometimes performances in which women took off their clothes