comic

American  

[kom-ik] / ˈkɒm ɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by comedy.

   comic opera.

2. of or relating to a person who acts in or writes comedy.

   a comic actor; a comic dramatist.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of comedy.

   comic situations; a comic sense.

4. provoking laughter; humorous; funny; laughable.

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noun

• comics
  plural

1. a comedian.

2. comic book.

3. comics, comic strips.

4. the comic, the element or quality of comedy in literature, art, drama, etc..

   An appreciation of the comic came naturally to her.

comic British  

/ ˈkɒmɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, characterized by, or characteristic of comedy

2. (prenominal) acting in, writing, or composing comedy

   a comic writer

3. humorous; funny

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noun

1. a person who is comic, esp a comic actor; comedian

2. a book or magazine containing comic strips

3. (usually plural) comic strips in newspapers, etc

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncomic
  adjective
• quasi-comic
  adjective
• semicomic
  adjective
• uncomic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• comics
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of comic

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin cōmicus < Greek kōmikós, equivalent to kôm ( os ) a revel + -ikos -ic

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Explanation

Comic things have something to do with silliness, like the comic section in the newspaper or a comic scene in your favorite funny movie. Someone who tells jokes professionally is also a comic. If you want to be a comic, you're going to need to come up with a lot of comic material, jokes and stories that make people laugh. If standing up in front of a crowd isn't your thing, but you still want to tell funny tales, you might try drawing a comic strip instead! Comic goes back to the Greek kōmōidia, "amusing spectacle," and its roots, meaning "merrymaking" and "singer or poet."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

comic comics

"It's definitely some weird cultural thing where mainstream movies are now mostly fantasy: fantasy, science fiction, horror, comic books, all different kinds of fantasy," Ethan, 69, explained.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

One conservative critic who heard young Bruch’s comic opera “Scherz, List, und Rache” noted with gratitude that unlike Wagner, Bruch preferred “naturalness and simplicity” to “overpowering material.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

There’s a difference between being a “controversial” comic and appealing to the lowest common denominator.

From Salon ● Oct. 14, 2026

This isn’t an epic work but a compilation of comic sketches tied together with heavy thematic string.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

He was framed with a white border, like a scene in a comic book.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Whether it’s borrowing from earlier artists, repurposing comics, or creating a series of mirrors, Lichtenstein’s focus on image replication is thoroughly documented in this show.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

The Crow runs a stand-up comedy camp for 7-12-year-olds, a six-week intensive tween program and a showcase called “The Kids Are Fine, Not Great” that pairs college comics and professionals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Marvel Unlimited, the company’s digital comics subscription service, is shutting down after 19 years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

In the comics, Green Lanterns are known for their oaths, which they recite when recharging their rings or to reaffirm their commitment to the group.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

I took the comics but didn’t feel like going.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott

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Related Words

• clown
• comedian
• humorist
• stooge

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