vaudeville

noun vaude·ville \ ˈvȯd-vəl , ˈväd- , ˈvōd- , -ˌvil ; ˈvȯ-də- , ˈvä- , ˈvō- \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Examples: vaudeville in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of vaudeville

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)

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vaudevillian

play \ˌvȯd-ˈvil-yən, ˌväd-, ˌvōd-; ˌvȯ-də-, ˌvä-, ˌvō-\ noun or adjective

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See vaudeville defined for kids

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Examples of vaudeville in a Sentence

She became a big star in vaudeville.

Recent Examples of vaudeville from the Web

Bri Crabtree and the Silly Circus Show Circus, vaudeville, and silliness.

— chronicle staff report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Kids listings," 7 June 2018
But their stage careers withered as vaudeville died.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "These 'monsters' share a grave in Charlotte. Now their native UK wants to honor them.," 1 June 2018
Movies were soon being shown after live acts at vaudeville shows, or as part of multi-picture programs at arcades and storefront theaters.

— Longreads, "When the Movies Went West," 15 May 2018
The cast are conceived as clowns, improvising scenery and costumes, and using stock theatrical devices, pantomime vaudeville and varied musical styles to interpret one of humanity's greatest events.

— maria shine stewart, cleveland.com, "Float over some drab days with song and hope: Sun Messages," 8 Apr. 2018
To this day, the deep and wide absurdity of this having been the summit of a coach’s towering rage cracks me up, at least in part because what came next was an extended vaudeville that involved the entire National Hockey League.

— charles p. pierce, SI.com, "There's a Silver Lining in Having So Many Complaints About NHL Playoff Officiating," 7 May 2018
Bette's embracing every second of Baby Jane's success, even going on The Andy Williams Show to sing a tune inspired by the movie‚but throughout the whole campy vaudeville act, her face is a deadpan mask, and the juxtaposition is glorious.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "8 Standout Moments From 'Feud: Bette and Joan' Episode 4," 27 Mar. 2017
The nearly 1,400-seat theater in downtown Phoenix started as part of the national Orpheum Circuit chain, which presented vaudeville acts.

— azcentral, "From climate to fry bread, 125 reasons to love Arizona," 15 May 2015
Travel back in time with Olde Wrestling and vaudeville duo, Pinch and Squeal.

— cleveland.com, "25 things to do in Cleveland this May 2018: Festivals, foodie events, film and more," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vaudeville.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of vaudeville

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1827

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

VAUDEVILLE Defined for English Language Learners

vaudeville

noun

Definition of vaudeville for English Language Learners

: a type of entertainment that was popular in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and that had many different performers doing songs, dances, and comic acts