comical

adjective

com·​i·​cal ˈkä-mi-kəl 

1

obsolete : of or relating to comedy

2

: causing laughter especially because of a startlingly or unexpectedly humorous impact

wearing a comical expression

comicality

ˌkä-mi-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

comically

ˈkä-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• antic
• chucklesome
• comedic
• comic
• droll
• farcical
• funny
• hilarious
• humoristic
• humorous
• hysterical
• hysteric
• killing
• laughable
• ludicrous
• ridiculous
• riotous
• risible
• screaming
• sidesplitting
• uproarious

Choose the Right Synonym for comical

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 comical in a Sentence

I must have looked comical in that big hat.

The way they argue is almost comical.

Recent Examples on the Web

Every rose has its thorn, and The Bachelorette star Jenn Tran stuck a comical jab into her latest interview on Live With Kelly and Mark. —EW.com, 8 July 2024

Aside from the comical Jollof wars, food from the continent truly is making waves in the mainstream, including within the fine dining scene. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 8 July 2024

Vain and ill-suited to suburban life, Gabrielle was the only Latina among the leading ladies of Wisteria Lane, a fact that the show established with a comical lack of subtlety. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 5 July 2024

The pop star and model also shared a handful of past and present visuals on her Instagram Story, including a comical video of her husband struggling to fit in his purple trousers. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 4 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

comical

adjective

com·​i·​cal ˈkäm-i-kəl 

: laughable, funny

comically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb