campy

[ kam-pee ]

adjective

, camp·i·er, camp·i·est.

1. of, relating to, or characterized by theatrical or extravagant style, expressing playful irreverence or knowing amusement:

   a campy send-up of romantic operettas.

ˈcampy

/ ˈkæmpɪ /

adjective

1. effeminate; affected in mannerisms, dress, etc
2. relating to or considered characteristic of homosexuals
3. consciously artificial, exaggerated, vulgar, or mannered; self-parodying, esp when in dubious taste

Other Words From

• camp·i·ly adverb
• camp·i·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of campy¹

First recorded in 1930–35; camp ² + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“They don’t have powers, they make all their own costumes, and it’s fabulous and can be campy and can be humorous but then is also gut-wrenching.”

From Los Angeles Times

That’s no doubt because their contributions to this equally campy and earnest musical signal a truly collaborative endeavor.

From Los Angeles Times

The desert setting and chomping alien monsters give “The Last Dance” a whiff of “Starship Troopers,” a soupçon of “Tremors,” nodding to those self-consciously campy B-movie creature features of yore.

From Los Angeles Times

The over-the-top events artfully channel the killer bee hysteria of the 1990s as well as the campy made-for-TV sci-fi disaster movies of yore, making “Bee-nado” both a bit bonkers and strangely comforting.

From Los Angeles Times

Aja’s breakthrough feature “High Tension” delivered stylized hyper-violence, and he’s known for his gleefully campy creature features like “Crawl” and “Piranha 3D,” but “Never Let Go” is a turn toward more somber storytelling.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• campy
• charming
• comical
• delightful
• diverting
• droll
• engaging
• enjoyable
• entertaining
• fun
• gratifying
• humorous
• interesting
• lively
• pleasant
• pleasing