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

Messi is -170 to score on DraftKings, a comical number for a final 16 match at a World Cup. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Although Louis has yet to make his Wimbledon debut, the notoriously comical royal also seems to be learning to love the game at an early age. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 July 2026

Each installment feels like a fever dream of absurd fear mongering about crime, meant to hype Knightscope’s brand of high-tech surveillance and divorced from reality in unintentionally comical ways. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 24 June 2026

But for all the manosphere poking and parodying, Kyle University isn’t solely there to gather laughs or generate comical confusion. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 24 June 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