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black comedy

American  

noun

  1. comedy that employs morbid, gloomy, grotesque, or calamitous situations in its plot.


Etymology

Origin of black comedy

First recorded in 1965–70

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.

The Globes also honor the best in television, with HBO's black comedy anthology "The White Lotus," sci-fi office thriller "Severance" and searing teen murder saga "Adolescence" leading the contenders.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

The multihyphenate entertainer has secured the Golden Globe for supporting actress in a motion picture for her performance as revolutionary Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s black comedy “One Battle After Another.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

Other nominated films include conspiracy theory drama Bugonia, Korean black comedy No Other Choice, Brazilian political thriller The Secret Agent and animated musical smash Kpop Demon Hunters.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

In the past, when asked about the 1996 black comedy “Fargo,” he would say you can never know when something will resonate with an audience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

The head-slapping stupidity of the situation could only be viewed as black comedy.

From Underground by Dreyfus, Suelette