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 plural : the part of a newspaper devoted to comic strips

Synonyms

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

Bernie Mac, who starred in the Ocean's trilogy as fast-talking Frank Catton and was revered as one of the funniest comic actors of the last half-century, died at 50 due to cardiac arrest just a year after Ocean's 13 premiered. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025

Candy and Martin, two of the sharpest comic minds of their generation, quickly found a natural groove together. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

Noun

Vino initially makes Tali seem like a stereotypically needy and critical Jewish mother, but the character gets the show’s best individual arc, going from borderline comic to wildly inspiring. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025

As a touring comic, Brennan has opened for Nikki Glaser, Taylor Tomlinson, and the late Louie Anderson. —Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025

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

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