pantomime
Americannoun
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the art or technique of conveying emotions, actions, feelings, etc., by gestures without speech.
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a play or entertainment in which the performers express themselves mutely by gestures, often to the accompaniment of music.
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significant gesture without speech.
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an actor in dumb show, as in ancient Rome.
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Also called Christmas pantomime. a form of theatrical spectacle common in England during the Christmas season, generally adapted from a fairy tale and including stock character types who perform songs and dances, tell jokes, etc.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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Sometimes shortened to: panto. a kind of play performed at Christmas time characterized by farce, music, lavish sets, stock roles, and topical jokes
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( as modifier )
a pantomime horse
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a theatrical entertainment in which words are replaced by gestures and bodily actions
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action without words as a means of expression
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(in ancient Rome) an actor in a dumb show
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informal a confused or farcical situation
verb
Other Word Forms
- pantomimic adjective
- pantomimical adjective
- pantomimically adverb
- pantomimicry noun
- pantomimist noun
Etymology
Origin of pantomime
1580–90; earlier pantomimus < Latin < Greek pantómīmos. See panto-, mime
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Or were all of us engaged in this pantomime for nothing?
From Literature
Fitzpatrick was welcomed by pantomime boos from the partisan fans who were predictably rooting for their man.
From BBC
Richarlison, the pantomime villain, had the last word as he, above all, answered Tudor's call to fight.
From BBC
He also revealed he had been dubbed "Sheenie the genie" by his youngest daughter Mabli after his role in Swansea Grand Theatre's Christmas pantomime, Aladdin.
From BBC
The heat has been drawn from the situation since, but the Canadians seem a good fit for the role of pantomime villains.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
