vaudeville

noun

vaude·​ville ˈvȯd-vəl 

ˈväd-,

ˈvōd-,

-ˌvil  ˈvȯ-də- 

ˈvä-,

ˈvō-

1

: a light often comic theatrical piece frequently combining pantomime, dialogue, dancing, and song

2

: stage entertainment consisting of various acts (such as performing animals, comedians, or singers)

vaudevillian

ˌvȯd-ˈvil-yən 

ˌväd-

ˌvōd-;

ˌvȯ-də-

ˌvä-

ˌvō-

noun or adjective

Did you know?

In the 15th century, several amusing songs became popular across France. These songs were said to have been written by a man named Olivier Basselin who lived in the valley of the river Vire in northwest France. The songs eventually became known as chansons de vau-de-Vire, meaning "songs of the valley of Vire." Other people began writing and performing similar songs, and as this form of entertainment became more widespread, the link to vau-de-Vire was forgotten. The nickname was shortened to one word, vaudevire. As the phenomenon spread beyond France, further changes in pronunciation and spelling shifted vaudevire into vaudeville. The meaning also broadened to include humorous performances and variety shows.

Examples of vaudeville in a Sentence

She became a big star in vaudeville.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the production, Lewis plays a widowed father of three adult children who is also a former vaudeville showman past his prime and a current-day barber desperately down on his luck. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025

Aimee hired a stage manager, Thomas Eade, who had trained in vaudeville, to design her elaborate skits. —Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025

Just as screen legend Buster Keaton got his start as a child on the vaudeville stage as part of his family’s traveling troupe, so too has Kenan Thompson molded and expanded on his comedy from a very young age. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 5 Apr. 2025

Others are barely throwaways, bleak vaudeville sketches that make a point and black out. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "satirical song, comic theatrical piece," going back to Middle French (chançons de) vaul de ville "topical satirical songs," earlier vau de vire, named (according to 16th-century French authors) after the val de Vire, valley of the Vire River in Normandy, where such songs were allegedly composed

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

vaudeville

noun

vaude·​ville ˈvȯd(-ə)-vəl  ˈväd-  ˈvōd- 

-ˌvil

: theatrical entertainment made up of a variety of songs, dances, and comic acts

Etymology

from French vaudeville "a humorous song or skit," derived from early French vaudevire "a song that makes fun of something," from chansons de vau de Vire "songs of the valley of Vire"

Word Origin

In the 15th century, a number of humorous songs became popular in France. The songs were said to have been written by a man who lived in the valley of the River Vire, which is located in northwest France. The songs became known as chansons de vau de Vire, meaning "songs of the valley of Vire." Other people were soon writing and performing similar songs. Before long, people no longer connected such songs with the valley of Vire. The name chansons de vau de Vire was shortened to one word, vaudevire. Further changes in spelling and pronunciation have given us the modern word vaudeville, which refers not only to humorous songs, but also to other forms of popular entertainment.