burlesque

[ ber-lesk ]

noun

1. an artistic composition, especially literary or dramatic, that, for the sake of laughter, vulgarizes lofty material or treats ordinary material with mock dignity.

   Synonyms: farce, lampoon, satire

2. any ludicrous parody or grotesque caricature.
3. Also burlesk. a humorous and provocative stage show featuring slapstick humor, comic skits, bawdy songs, striptease acts, and a scantily clad female chorus.

adjective

1. involving ludicrous or mocking treatment of a solemn subject.
2. of, relating to, or like stage-show burlesque.

verb (used with object)

, bur·lesqued, bur·lesquing.

1. to make ridiculous by mocking representation.

verb (used without object)

, bur·lesqued, bur·lesquing.

1. to use caricature.

burlesque

/ bɜːˈlɛsk /

noun

1. an artistic work, esp literary or dramatic, satirizing a subject by caricaturing it
2. a ludicrous imitation or caricature
3. a play of the 17th–19th centuries that parodied some contemporary dramatic fashion or event
4. Alsoburlesk theatre a bawdy comedy show of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: the striptease eventually became one of its chief elements Slang nameburleycue

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a burlesque

verb

1. to represent or imitate (a person or thing) in a ludicrous way; caricature

Derived Forms

• burˈlesquer, noun

Other Words From

• bur·lesque·ly adverb
• bur·lesqu·er noun
• pre·bur·lesque adjective
• un·bur·lesqued adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of burlesque¹

1650–60; < French < Italian burlesco, equivalent to burl ( a ) jest (perhaps < Spanish; burladero ) + -esco -esque

Word History and Origins

Origin of burlesque¹

C17: from French, from Italian burlesco , from burla a jest, piece of nonsense

Synonym Study

Burlesque, caricature, parody, travesty refer to the literary or dramatic forms that imitate serious works or subjects to achieve a humorous or satiric purpose. The characteristic device of burlesque is mockery of both high and low through association with their opposites: a burlesque of high and low life. Caricature, usually associated with visual arts or with visual effects in literary works, implies exaggeration of characteristic details: The caricature emphasized his nose. Parody achieves its humor through application of the manner or technique, usually of a well-known writer, to unaccustomed subjects: a parody by Swift. Travesty implies a grotesque form of burlesque: characters so changed as to produce a travesty.

Example Sentences

The band's genre-defying mix of rock and pop and electro-clash and disco and burlesque and balladry wasn't just a breath of fresh air, it was a gale-force wind.

From BBC

“Burlesque and comedy are my favorite styles,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

The Exotikon Super Shock Show will include a performance by world-class magician Rob Zabrecky, spooky-themed live music by Ghouly Gal and Jimmy Psycho and the Infernal Order of the Black Flame, and burlesque performances featuring Emma Vauxdevil and Vita Devoid.

From Los Angeles Times

Among its extensive attractions, the event featured a presentation on tiki-inspired architecture by premier tiki historian Sven Kirsten; live music by a number of tiki-themed musicians — including the Tikiyaki Orchestra, one of the few first-rate exotica bands in the world — burlesque performances by a number of SoCal’s most well-known dancers; and an extraordinary tribute to Danny Balsz’s historic, Monterey Park amusement park, the Tikis, which thrived in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

From Los Angeles Times

"In Danielle Moore the Nottingham outfit have a frontwoman who combines the voice of a soul diva, the moves of a burlesque dancer and the wit of a nightclub compere."

From BBC