parody

[ par-uh-dee ]

noun

, plural par·o·dies.

1. a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing:

   his hilarious parody of Hamlet's soliloquy.

2. the genre of literary composition represented by such imitations.
3. a burlesque imitation of a musical composition.
4. any humorous, satirical, or burlesque imitation, as of a person, event, etc.
5. the use in the 16th century of borrowed material in a musical setting of the Mass parody Mass.
6. a poor or feeble imitation or semblance; travesty:

   His acting is a parody of his past greatness.

verb (used with object)

, par·o·died, par·o·dy·ing.

1. to imitate (a composition, author, etc.) for purposes of ridicule or satire.
2. to imitate poorly or feebly; travesty.

parody

/ ˈpærədɪ; pəˈrɒdɪk /

noun

1. a musical, literary, or other composition that mimics the style of another composer, author, etc, in a humorous or satirical way
2. mimicry of someone's individual manner in a humorous or satirical way
3. something so badly done as to seem an intentional mockery; travesty

verb

1. tr to make a parody of

parody

1. In art, music, or literature, a satire that mimics the style of its object.

Derived Forms

• parodic, adjective
• ˈparodist, noun

Other Words From

• paro·di·a·ble adjective
• self-paro·dy noun plural selfparodies
• un·paro·died adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of parody¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin parōdia, from Greek parōidía “burlesque song or poem”; equivalent to par- + ode + -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of parody¹

C16: via Latin from Greek paroidiā satirical poem, from para- ¹+ ōidē song

Synonym Study

See burlesque.

Example Sentences

The lights will turn back on in January 2025, when Infowars is relaunched as a parody of itself that mocks “weird internet personalities” likes Jones who traffic conspiracy theories and health supplements, according to The Onion.

From Salon

How do you parody someone who is both so cruel and ridiculous?

From Slate

Is the show equipped to take on Donald Trump, a former SNL host whose own absurdity often defies parody?

From Slate

There were a few minor bright spots, including a “Good Will Hunting” parody and a promo for a “Sex Rock” CD, plus a few we’ll talk about below, but the rest were forgettable, unfunny or both.

From Los Angeles Times

Dargomyzhsky is known, if known at all outside Russia, for this opera and for PDQ Bach’s 1970 unmissable parody album, “The Stoned Guest.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disparage
• exaggerate
• lampoon
• mimic
• mock
• ridicule
• satirize