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
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Zendaya and Robert Pattinson‘s romantic comedy has set the date. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025 The film is considered one of the great romantic comedies of all time, with Keaton’s eccentric, self-deprecating Annie at its heart. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025 That same year, the actress starred in Baby Boom, her first of many collaborations with writer Nancy Meyers, whose heartwarming romantic comedies were an ideal vehicle for Keaton’s comedic talents. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025 Playing the titular role in Annie Hall in 1977, Keaton won her first Oscar, cementing her impact in romantic comedy films in decades to come. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for romantic comedy

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of romantic comedy was in 1818

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Cite this Entry

“Romantic comedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/romantic%20comedy. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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