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 of comical

• humorous
• comedic
• funny
• amusing
• comic
• ridiculous

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

The project’s thoroughness would be almost comical were its subject not so stubbornly controversial, an emblem of all the contradictions embedded in who, exactly, Americans take themselves to be. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

In the second half, United’s defensive sloppiness only got worse and led to Brighton adding a second and third in almost comical fashion, gifting goals to Maxim De Cuyper and Pascal Gross in a five-minute spell. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Increasingly grotesque and comical horror-flick kills are one of the elements that distinguish Amazon’s Reacher series from the pair of Tom Cruise–starring features adapted from Lee Child’s novels previously. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

The production, directed by Margaret Shigeko Starbuck, runs with the makeshift energy and comical freedom that this contextual shift allows. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for comical

• anatomical
• astronomical
• economical
• neuroanatomical
• uneconomical

Kids Definition

comical

adjective

com·​i·​cal ˈkäm-i-kəl 

: laughable, funny

comically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb