romantic comedy

noun

plural romantic comedies

: a light, comic movie or other work whose plot focuses on the development of a romantic relationship

This brings us to romantic comedies. … They make money, spawn franchises, and are popular in books, movies, and on television. Sexual tension is fun to watch, and we like rooting for a will-they-won't-they couple.

—Elizabeth Logan

also : this style or genre of work

an actor with a talent for romantic comedy

called also rom-com

Examples of romantic comedy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Reminders Of Him star Tyriq Withers is set to star and exec produce the Amazon MGM Studios’ romantic comedy Love Love from writer-director Joey Power. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 13 July 2026

That same holds true for filmmaker Gary Winick, who died of brain cancer in 2011 after directing Garner in the beloved 2004 romantic comedy 13 Going on 30. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 9 July 2026

Whenever a romantic comedy reaches the central couple’s big falling-out, my wife shoots me a look. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

Those who came up on romantic comedies of the '80s and '90s should dip into this early – and rather nifty – example of the genre. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for romantic comedy

• psalmody
• tragicomedy