deadpan

American  

[ded-pan] / ˈdɛdˌpæn /

adjective

1. marked by or accomplished with a careful pretense of seriousness or calm detachment; impassive or expressionless.

   deadpan humor.

2. displaying no emotional or personal involvement.

   a deadpan style.

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adverb

1. in a deadpan manner.

   He spoke his lines utterly deadpan.

verb (used with or without object)

deadpanned, deadpanning

1. to behave or perform in a deadpan manner.

noun

1. a face showing no expression.

2. a style of comedy that relies on the comedian's maintaining such a face.

deadpan British  

/ ˈdɛdˌpæn /

adjective

1. with a deliberately emotionless face or manner

   deadpan humour

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Other Word Forms

• dead panner noun

Etymology

Origin of deadpan

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; dead + pan ¹ (in the slang sense “face”)

Example Sentences

As the president shook Wilhite’s hand, he took a look at the suit and deadpanned: “Bold move, son.”

From Los Angeles Times

The deadpan exchange has ricocheted across social media as a perfect encapsulation of the odd, stiff-smiling dynamic between two politicians who recently spent months raging against each other online.

From Salon

The 37-year-old head coach may have won a title in his second season, but he’s equally known for his deadpan, quirky responses to the usual media banalities.

From The Wall Street Journal

He deadpanned that he doesn’t think the exercise helps.

From Los Angeles Times

As one of his worthy foils, the elegantly deadpan Olivia Tweedy proved engaging and stylish.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• impassive
• stony