comedian

noun

co·​me·​di·​an kə-ˈmē-dē-ən How to pronounce comedian (audio)
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

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 This year’s guests will include actresses Tiffany Haddish and Regina Hall, comedians Chappelle, Jimmy Fallon, Seinfeld and Chris Rock, and rapper Nelly, the center announced in a news release Thursday. Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 The comedian then presented the award for Best Sound to The Zone of Interest, which also won best international feature at Sunday's awards show. Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 She’ll be based at CAA’s Century City office and will focus on identifying and creating acting opportunities for the agency’s comedy touring clients — which includes several A-list comedians — in film and television. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 In response to an underwhelming joke from Kimmel about his body, Downey gestured to the comedian to wrap up the gag. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Director Ava DuVernay and actor and comedian Ramy Youssef also wore Artists4Ceasefire pins. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2024 Actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg was the first woman and African American to host the Oscars solo in 1994. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2024 How many comedians actually impact the lexicon and become part of people’s everyday language? Elayne Boosler, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 That comedian is Steve Coogan, perhaps best known for creating the character Alan Partridge, a politically incorrect British TV presenter, and for his dueling Michael Caine impressions with fellow funnyman Rob Brydon. Leslie Katz, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comedian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of comedian was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near comedian

Cite this Entry

“Comedian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comedian. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

comedian

noun
co·​me·​di·​an kə-ˈmēd-ē-ən How to pronounce comedian (audio)
1
: an actor who plays in comedy
2
: a comical individual
especially : a humorous professional entertainer

More from Merriam-Webster on comedian

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