comedy

[ kom-i-dee ]

noun

, plural com·e·dies.

1. a play, movie, etc., of light and humorous character with a happy or cheerful ending; a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or happy conclusion.
2. that branch of the drama which concerns itself with this form of composition.
3. the comic element of drama, of literature generally, or of life.
4. any literary composition dealing with a theme suitable for comedy, or employing the methods of comedy.
5. any comic or humorous incident or series of incidents.

   Synonyms: banter, pleasantry, humor

comedy

/ ˈkɒmɪdɪ /

noun

1. a dramatic or other work of light and amusing character
2. the genre of drama represented by works of this type
3. (in classical literature) a play in which the main characters and motive triumph over adversity
4. the humorous aspect of life or of events
5. an amusing event or sequence of events
6. humour or comic style

   the comedy of Chaplin

comedy

1. A work — play, story, novel , or film — that ends happily for the main character (or protagonist ) and contains humor to some degree. A comedy may involve unhappy outcomes for some of the characters. Shylock , for example, in The Merchant of Venice, a comedy by William Shakespeare , is disgraced in the play. The ancient Greeks and Romans produced comedies, and great numbers have been written in modern times.

Other Words From

• co·me·di·al [k, uh, -, mee, -dee-, uh, l], adjective
• pro·come·dy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of comedy¹

1350–1400; Middle English comedye < Medieval Latin cōmēdia, Latin cōmoedia < Greek kōmōidía, equivalent to kōmōid ( ós ) comedian ( kômo ( s ) merry-making + aoidós singer) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of comedy¹

C14: from Old French comédie, from Latin cōmoedia, from Greek kōmōidia, from kōmos village festival + aeidein to sing

Example Sentences

Lennox, a Belfast native who previously worked on the Troubles-themed coming of age comedy “Derry Girls,” played an essential role in setting its tone which, though grim, is also inflected with dark humor.

From Los Angeles Times

Four years after concluding their work together on NBC’s “The Good Place,” a philosophical comedy that explored morality and ethics through a group of deceased characters navigating the afterlife, Schur and Danson have reunited for a tender, humorous meditation on loneliness and the search for late-in-life purpose with “A Man on the Inside,” an eight-episode Netflix series premiering Nov. 21.

From Los Angeles Times

The effort kicked off with “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” Rock’s first live comedy special after being slapped by actor Will Smith at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony.

From Los Angeles Times

The streamer has hosted multiple live programs since, including tennis and golf exhibition matches, a Tom Brady comedy roast, a hot dog eating competition and the SAG Awards.

From Los Angeles Times

“This is a roast-free zone,” clarifies Julie Golden, producer and host of “The Big D: A Comedy Matchmaking Show for Divorced Singles.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• farce
• fun
• humor
• satire
• sitcom