burlesque

noun bur·lesque \ (ˌ)bər-ˈlesk \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 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

After all, the tattoo artist and makeup mogul is known for a goth-y vibe that meets retro burlesque and pin-up for a truly fierce lewk.

— krystin arneson, Glamour, "Kat Von D's Incredible Wedding Dress Is Proof Brides Don't Have to Wear White," 3 June 2018
But the story of the couple’s relationship — the tale of a woman who refuses to be dominated, never mind beaten, by her man — gets lost in the audience-pandering burlesque.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "'The Color Purple' national tour turns down the wattage — and burns a little less brightly," 30 May 2018
Telegraph Hill Fundraising Gala Exit Theatre’s annual fundraising gala with food and drink, magic, burlesque, cabaret, storytelling, can-can dancers, silent auction, Bay views and more.

— chronicle staff report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Theater capsule reviews and listings, week of May 20," 17 May 2018
Marsh and Thomas Hart Benton show us burlesque shows, and Philadelphia artist George Biddle depicts a scene in a speakeasy in which some prosperous but dodgy types are chatting up an androgynous figure who looks a little bit like Harpo Marx.

— thomas hine, Philly.com, "Art Museum show gives American Modernists - and Philly ones - new respect," 12 Apr. 2018
Features drag kings and queens, burlesque and belly dancers, aerialists, clowns, sideshow, magic and fire artists.

— gege reed, The Courier-Journal, "Get your 'boo' on this week at these wickedly good Halloween events in Louisville," 24 Oct. 2017
Of course, any modern burlesque number would be incomplete without a nod to Dita Von Teese.

— rachel hahn, Vogue, "Violet Chachki and Dita Von Teese on the Empowering Glamour of Old-School Burlesque," 4 May 2018
Kansas City Burlesque Festival 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Opera House and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Folly The three shows over two nights at two venues will bring the best of variety and burlesque to Kansas City.

— dan kelly, kansascity, "KC events May 3-9: Royals, Sporting KC, ‘Lion King,’ Martin Lawrence, Audra McDonald | The Kansas City Star," 1 May 2018
Pengilly’s Saloon: Fri: Neal and Friends, 9 p.m. Sat: Andrew Sheppard Band, 9 p.m. Sun: Disenchanted Divas Diaries of a Princess (burlesque), 8 p.m. Mon: open mike with Rebecca Scott and Emily Tipton, 8 p.m. Tue: Western Centuries, 9 p.m.

— idahostatesman, "Boise area bar, nightlife listings: April 20-26 | Idaho Statesman," 19 Apr. 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