comic relief

noun

1. an amusing scene, incident, or speech introduced into serious or tragic elements, as in a play, in order to provide temporary relief from tension, or to intensify the dramatic action.
2. relief from tension caused by the introduction or occurrence of a comic element, as by an amusing human foible.

Word History and Origins

Origin of comic relief¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

The academy saluted Curtis or his tireless charitable work as a co-founder of Comic Relief, a producer of Red Nose Day and for his efforts to end world poverty through groups like Make Poverty History.

From Los Angeles Times

The family navigates racism and growing pains without getting too heavy handed about it; farcical “interrogations” by immigration authorities including Pete Holmes provide additional comic relief.

From Los Angeles Times

He has since moved into broadcasting, featuring in the BBC series Celebrity Race Across the World and completing Billy's Big Challenge in 2021, when he walked, cycled and kayaked across Britain and raised more than £3m for Comic Relief.

From BBC

There’s Baca, Derrick Wilburn, a Republican conservative ready to cast his electoral votes for Donald Trump; Patricia McCracken, an elector for the Green Party; and the documentary’s main comic relief, an elector for Kanye West named Kit MacLean.

From Salon

He admits there were moments he was jealous of his friend and co-star, Ronny Chieng, who provides comic relief as a hapless busboy named Fatty Choi.

From Los Angeles Times