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

Turner currently stars opposite Monica Barbaro in Will Gluck’s romantic comedy One Night Only, which hit theaters over the weekend from Universal. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026

Glaser will additionally co-write, produce and star in an original comedy inspired by the classic game MASH for Paramount Pictures, as well as star in, co-write and produce a new romantic comedy for Universal Pictures with Judd Apatow producing. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Universal’s romantic comedy One Night Only, starring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner, is projected by Deadline to make $6 million from 3,012 North American venues. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

The romantic comedy centers around Chelsea (Chabert), who spent a year traveling Europe in her early twenties. — Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for romantic comedy

• psalmody
• tragicomedy