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

The project is in early development with Helgeland scripting a new story that follows on from the comic series. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026

Although based on the 2014 comic series co-written by Quentin Tarantino and Matt Wagner, the untitled movie will revolve around a new story. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026

Noun

The next logical step had to be 24/7-Maniscalco, which is now reality with the stand-up comic's SiriusXM channel. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2026

Lin, who plays Liu Kang in Warner Bros’ Mortal Kombat movie franchise and previously starred in the Power Rangers franchise, recently appeared as a stand-up comic in Lee’s upcoming third season of the docuseries Comedy InvAsian. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Apr. 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