comedian

noun

co·​me·​di·​an kə-ˈmē-dē-ən 

1

archaic

a

: a writer of comedies

b

: an actor who plays comic roles

2

: a comical individual

specifically : a professional entertainer who uses any of various physical or verbal means to be amusing

Synonyms of comedian

• comic
• entertainer
• joker
• humorist
• wit
• funnyman
• clown

Examples of comedian in a Sentence

You'll like my friend. He's a real comedian.

struggled to eke out a living as a comedian in nightclubs

Recent Examples on the Web

His flowering is optimal for someone who hosts a show called The Reluctant Traveler, and Levy and director David Brindley both agree that the comedian’s hesitations have waned — at least a little. — Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026

Live Nation also plans to erect a second-story premium level, as well as demolish the southern portion of the property to make room for a state-of-the-art, ballroom-size attraction for concerts, comedians and podcasts. — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026

The actress, comedian and songwriter will make her Broadway debut this fall in Roundabout Theatre Company’s new production of Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

Like the iconoclastic comedian, Block was Jewish, with a knowledge of Yiddish, which had been deemed advantageous for the assignment. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for comedian

• paramedian
• submedian

Kids Definition

comedian

noun

co·​me·​di·​an kə-ˈmēd-ē-ən 

1

: an actor who plays in comedy

2

: a comical individual

especially : a humorous professional entertainer