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
Derived Forms
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pantomimicrynoun
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pantomimicadjective
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pantomimicaladjective
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pantomimicallyadverb
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pantomimistnoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have pantomimedperfect
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has pantomimedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been pantomimingperfect progressive
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is pantomimingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are pantomimingprogressive
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am pantomimingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been pantomimingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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pantomimingparticiple
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pantomimessingular 3rd person
Past
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had pantomimedperfect
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had been pantomimingperfect progressive
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were pantomimingprogressive plural
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was pantomimingprogressive singular
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pantomimedsimple
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pantomimedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of pantomime
1580–90; earlier pantomimus < Latin < Greek pantómīmos. See panto-, mime
Explanation
If you make a motion with your hands to indicate eating ice cream, you are using pantomime. Parents often use this wordless communication to try to keep things from the kids. Unfortunately, the kids usually catch on quickly — especially if there is ice cream involved. An entire show, done without words is often called a pantomime, but around December, you may read about a Christmas pantomime. This is a traditional holiday show in the United Kingdom. The play is usually based on a fairy tale, and it is put on especially for children. Although it is called a pantomime or panto, the show actually includes talking, jokes, and music. The tradition goes back to the 1700s and is still popular today.
Vocabulary lists containing pantomime
Of Mice and Men
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"Of Mice and Men"
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Tangerine
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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.
"We started with Michael Boyd at the Tron pantomime and we wanted to get the essence of that postmodern, Scottish music hall culture and put it on a big stage," he says.
From BBC • May 24, 2026
And the 5ft 9in southpaw said she is ready to draw on the experience of being the pantomime villain.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
Richarlison, the pantomime villain, had the last word as he, above all, answered Tudor's call to fight.
From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026
After the final whistle, the visitors' social media team, leaning into their pantomime villain status, posted a picture of Williams sharing a joke with fellow British and Irish Lion Jamie George.
From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025
I would pantomime putting the hat on my head and work on just the right bland lines for the press: “Our team works hard in practice, and it pays off in the games.”
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
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.
