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

This, again, would be a change from the original comic story, as Jean Grey does not have a major role in Secret Wars. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Fellow brave souls/non-models included fellow reality star Bethenny Frankel, influencer Alix Earle and comic Tiffany Haddish. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Noun

Four years ago, the comic, a household name in the world’s fourth-most populous country, decided to start over in America. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 July 2026

This is so many different kinds of humor piled together, from callback to callout to laugh-at-him-not-with-him arrogant mistake to conscious, hyperbolic comic echoing to edgy provocation. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 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

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