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

There are several notable British entries including Joke, directed by Bob Cryer, son of late English comedian Barry Cryer, and starring Judi Dench, Stephen Fry and Alison Steadman. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 July 2026

The comedian also started a GoFundMe fundraiser to gather a legal war chest to fight the complaint. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026

Some of the vehicles on display have unique histories, including one owned by comedian Jay Leno. — Keith Laing, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Big Boo actress Lea DeLaria is a standup comedian with a long history as a Broadway performer. — Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 11 July 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