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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pantomimistnoun
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pantomimicadjective
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pantomimicaladjective
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pantomimicallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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pantomimesimple
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pantomimessimple
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have pantomimedperfect
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has pantomimedperfect
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am pantomimingprogressive
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are pantomimingprogressive
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is pantomimingprogressive
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have been pantomimingperfect progressive
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has been pantomimingperfect progressive
Past
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pantomimedsimple
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had pantomimedperfect
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was pantomimingprogressive
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were pantomimingprogressive
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had been pantomimingperfect progressive
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.
See Examples For:
Typical breaks include traditional seaside destinations including Cleethorpes, Filey, and Butlins in Skegness, as well as an annual festive trip to the Lyceum Theatre for the Christmas pantomime.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
Richarlison, the pantomime villain, had the last word as he, above all, answered Tudor's call to fight.
From BBC ● Mar. 15, 2026
Fitzpatrick was welcomed by pantomime boos from the partisan fans who were predictably rooting for their man.
From BBC ● Mar. 15, 2026
The heat has been drawn from the situation since, but the Canadians seem a good fit for the role of pantomime villains.
From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2026
Division and narration are two ends of a pantomime horse.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Kingsley pantomimes resisting repeated entreaties amid the cacophony.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
It's that time of year again when millions of people head to pantomimes to experience the bright lights, cheesy jokes and glamorous dames.
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2025
While pantomimes often feature big names and familiar faces, it is less common for a politician to get involved – but not unheard of.
From BBC ● Dec. 4, 2025
His characters may be confined by their circumstances but their imaginations are set free in theatrical games, pantomimes and nostalgic reveries.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2025
He pantomimes the action with both hands, grunting to animate it further.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
First, there’s a pantomimed back story: During the overture, actors depicting the lovers as young teens flirt and are discouraged by adults.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
When he’s off even a fraction, the fun begins in full: wayward missiles; exasperated glares; pantomimed swings; chats with himself, his clubs, his caddie — and perhaps even with apparitions only he can see.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 17, 2022
Cummings pantomimed the feeling of menstrual cramps and clutched her stomach in agony in one of the first explorations of menstruation and repetition through time-based art.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2022
One of the pub’s patron’s, George Parrin, 77, pantomimed a heart attack when the voices soared.
From New York Times ● Dec. 21, 2021
Jesper mouthed “sorry” and elaborately pantomimed locking his lips shut.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was then Iran’s foreign minister, would sometimes retreat to the back of the room during the nuclear talks and put his head in his hands, pantomiming despair.
From Slate ● May 1, 2026
You may find yourself pantomiming with one of your feet to your children in the persona of “Mr. Stinkyfoot,” a somewhat boorish Frenchman who espouses the importance of cleanliness and the needs for a bath.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 8, 2026
“I’m snitching,” he said, before pantomiming a conversation with a co-defendant.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2025
In most films, the background actors are pantomiming.
From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2024
Serve her right, I thought, pantomiming like that.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
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.
