parody

American  

[par-uh-dee] / ˈpær ə di /

noun

plural

parodies

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 parody Mass.

6. a poor or feeble imitation or semblance; travesty.

   His acting is a parody of his past greatness.

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verb (used with object)

parodied, parodying

1. to imitate (a composition, author, etc.) for purposes of ridicule or satire.

2. to imitate poorly or feebly; travesty.

parody British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to make a parody of

parody Cultural  

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

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Related Words

See burlesque.

Other Word Forms

• parodiable adjective
• parodic adjective
• parodist noun
• self-parody noun
• unparodied adjective

Etymology

Origin of parody

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

Example Sentences

The song had a resurgence online and into meme culture after charting in 2013 following a series of covers and parodies on Youtube.

From BBC

Some companies even advertise chef-prepared meals for Medicaid patients, which is an opening for abuse that is almost too easy to parody.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The Simpsons” episode, titled “Irrational Treasure,” goes to the show’s oft-visited well of parody and special guests.

From The Wall Street Journal

In response, interventionist hawks hit back with parody songs like “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Coward,” according to James Sullivan’s book “Which Side Are You On?”

From The Wall Street Journal

The late 1980s, Mr. Polito argues, had seen the musician at a low ebb, a parody of himself.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• burlesque
• caricature
• cartoon
• farce
• irony
• joke
• satire
• skit
• travesty