parody

1 of 2

noun

par·​o·​dy ˈper-ə-dē 

ˈpa-rə-

plural parodies

1

: a literary or musical work in which the style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule

wrote a hilarious parody of a popular song

2

: a feeble or ridiculous imitation

a cheesy parody of a classic western

parodic

pə-ˈrä-dik 

pa-

adjective

parodistic

ˌper-ə-ˈdi-stik 

ˌpa-rə-

adjective

parody

2 of 2

verb

parodied; parodying

transitive verb

1

: to compose a parody on

parody a poem

2

: to imitate in the manner of a parody

Synonyms

Noun

• spoof
• satire

Verb

• mock
• imitate
• spoof
• caricature
• do

Choose the Right Synonym for parody

caricature, burlesque, parody, travesty mean a comic or grotesque imitation.

caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment.

a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

parody applies especially to treatment of a trivial or ludicrous subject in the exactly imitated style of a well-known author or work.

a witty parody of a popular novel

travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd.

this production is a travesty of the opera

Examples of parody in a Sentence

Noun

He has a talent for writing parodies.

a writer with a talent for parody

Verb

It was easy to parody the book's fancy language.

She parodied her brother's poetry.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The brothers are reuniting for the first time in 18 years to write an original script for the restart of the horror parody franchise, writing and producing the movie alongside Rick Alvarez. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025

Some Trump administration officials have sought to play along with the parody, seeking to be in on the joke rather than just the butt of them. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025

Verb

The original Scary Movie franchise parodied the teen-slasher flicks that were so abundant in the late ’90s and aughts. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025

South Park’s Eric Cartman parodies Kirk in the episode by asking a college student a question, referencing Kirk’s viral debates on college campuses. —Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin parodia, from Greek parōidia, from para- + aidein to sing — more at ode

First Known Use

Noun

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1733, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing parody

• self-parody

Kids Definition

parody

noun

par·​o·​dy

ˈpar-əd-ē

plural parodies

1

: a written or musical work in which the style of an author or work is imitated for comic effect

2

: a poor imitation

parodist

-əd-əst

noun

parody verb