musical comedy

[ myoo-zi-kuhl kom-i-dee ]

noun

1. a musical that is light or humorous with a happy or cheerful ending.
2. (formerly, especially in reference to works from the first half of the 20th century) musical ( def 5 ).
3. Also called com·e·dy mu·sic. a genre of entertainment that prominently features songs in a comedy routine, such as stand-up comedy, or that is a type of show or album similar to a comedy routine, presented entirely in song.

musical comedy

noun

1. a play or film, usually having a light romantic story, that consists of dialogue interspersed with singing and dancing
2. such plays and films collectively

musical comedy

1. A play or film that highlights song and dance. Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, and The Producers are well-known musical comedies.

Word History and Origins

Origin of musical comedy¹

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

And by “ham,” I mean of course musical comedy virtuoso.

From Los Angeles Times

At 21, she starred in Sillman’s musical comedy revue “New Faces of 1956” on Broadway and soon was a rising star.

From Los Angeles Times

“I wanted it to be an old-fashioned musical comedy revue that you would see on Broadway,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

Also previously announced, the festival will open with the world premiere of David Gordon Green’s “Nutcrackers,” starring Ben Stiller, and close with Rebel Wilson’s directing debut, the musical comedy “Debs.”

From Los Angeles Times

Following a cast of slackers and crackpots in suburban Florida, the video game-like musical comedy marries gummy 3-D graphics and stoned-guy humor with sly commentary on hustle culture and the gig economy.

From New York Times