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

For the story’s first act, Raimi almost hints at romantic comedy—perhaps these two crazy kids will find some common ground while they’re stuck together, as Bradley learns to be a kinder boss and Linda figures out how to better stick up for herself. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026

The experimental romantic comedy mixes sensual 16mm shots with intimate dialogue. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 31 Jan. 2026

In many ways a template for modern romantic comedies, the film has Stanwyck playing a sharp con artist looking to hustle Fonda’s naïve, wealthy herpetologist while on an ocean liner. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Here’s your first-look at Twice Over, an upcoming romantic comedy starring Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Heaton. —Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for romantic comedy

• tragicomedy