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

Not so fast, because in comical fashion, Derringer is stuck hanging from a tree, and Clarke has to climb it to help him out. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 27 June 2025

When the show won its sixth award of the night, for Best Comedy Series, Matheson and costar Ebon Moss-Bachrach shared a comical kiss. —Avalon Hester, People.com, 26 June 2025

Also, there are many characters who could support Aira bodily: Cordelia, Lear’s favorite daughter, and also the Fool, who, in Matthew’s mind, is more and more Henry, with his broad shoulders, his comical shrug. —Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025

Things get gory, but the blocky voxel look allows the game to lean into comical territory. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 13 June 2025

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