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 of parody

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

In an expert parody of early white-guy rap and kitschy appreciation of same, Mooney and Bennett play a couple of goofballs rap-narrating their trip to a burger place. —Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026

Federal law protects certain uses of a celebrity’s image and likeness in cases involving parody, criticism, commentary and news reporting. —Daryl Lim, The Conversation, 28 May 2026

Verb

The Onion has long delighted readers with a mix of highbrow and stupidly silly news stories that parody the latest social trends and political tirades, highlighting their absurdity—and deeper truths. —Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026

On the Season 44 premiere in September 2018, Damon parodied Kavanaugh’s Senate testimony, depicting his belligerence and frequently yelling, referencing beer, among other things — using many of the actual quotes from the hearing. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 May 2026

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