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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 actress is set to appear in two more forthcoming films: Enid Blyton fantasy The Magic Faraway Tree, and the black comedy Savage House, opposite Richard E Grant.

From BBC

Indeed, this isn’t a documentary — a black comedy, perhaps?

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

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