comic

1 of 2

adjective

com·​ic ˈkä-mik 

1

: of, relating to, or marked by comedy

a comic actor

2

: causing laughter or amusement : funny

a comic monologue

3

: of or relating to comic strips

the newspaper's comic section

comic

2 of 2

noun

1

: comedian

a stand-up comic

2

: the comic element

3

a

: comic strip

b

: comic book

c

comics ˈkä-miks  plural : the part of a newspaper devoted to comic strips

Synonyms of comic

Adjective

• comedic
• humorous
• funny
• comical
• amusing

Noun

• comedian

Choose the Right Synonym for comic

laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous, comic, comical mean provoking laughter or mirth.

laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Examples of comic in a Sentence

Adjective

The drama has some comic moments.

His comic timing is impeccable.

The scene was included for comic effect.

Noun

posted an especially funny comic by the watercooler

a celebrated humorist who, without fail, could find the comic in even the most mundane of situations

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Their family friction and riches-to-rags plight ups the comic and dramatic ante, as the Wangs encounter the very different day-to-day lives of other Americans on their cross-country journey. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Rife first came to prominence in 2022 after videos of his comic routines went viral on TikTok. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Noun

Dave Chappelle has announced a slew of new arena dates as the comic is added to New York Comedy Festival as a headliner. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Brooks is a comic who’s recently gone stratospheric — climbing from headlining clubs to theaters to arenas in less than two years’ time. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin comicus, from Greek kōmikos, from kōmos revel

First Known Use

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1687, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing comic

• comic book
• comic opera
• comic relief
• comic strip
• web comic

Rhymes for comic

• nomic
• adamic
• anomic
• atomic
• islamic
• meramec
• tokamak
• anatomic
• antidromic
• astronomic
• autonomic
• cryptogamic

Kids Definition

comic

1 of 2 adjective

com·​ic ˈkäm-ik 

1

: of or relating to comedy

a comic actor

2

: causing laughter or amusement : funny

3

: of or relating to comic strips

comic

2 of 2 noun

1

: comedian sense 2

2

a

: comic strip

b

plural : the part of a newspaper devoted to comic strips