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

Love Actually is a Christmas romantic comedy directed by Richard Curtis and released in 2003, featuring separate love stories. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2026

She’s wrapped work on another independent movie, Honeymoon/Funeral, a romantic comedy from Fresh Off the Boat creator Nahnatchka Khan that also stars Rebecca Ferguson and Greta Lee. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026

The romantic comedy also won Oscars for adapted screenplay and supporting actress (Olympia Dukakis). — Zack Sharf, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026

Lopez and Fonda have been friends since starring together in the 2005 romantic comedy Monster-in-Law. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for romantic comedy

• psalmody
• tragicomedy