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

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

Barbaro is set to star opposite Callum Turner in the romantic comedy One Night Only that Universal releases in August. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026

The films are widely credited for reigniting the YA romantic comedy genre and proving that streaming platforms could build trilogies. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026

Netflix has found one of its best romantic comedy hits ever, Voicemails for Isabelle, which boasts a rare 91% Rotten Tomatoes audience score. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for romantic comedy

• psalmody
• tragicomedy