campy

[kam-pee]

adjective

campier, campiest 

1. of, relating to, or characterized by theatrical or extravagant style, expressing playful irreverence or knowing amusement.

   a campy send-up of romantic operettas.

ˈcampy

/ ˈkæmpɪ /

adjective

1. effeminate; affected in mannerisms, dress, etc

2. relating to or considered characteristic of homosexuals

3. consciously artificial, exaggerated, vulgar, or mannered; self-parodying, esp when in dubious taste

Other Word Forms

• campily adverb
• campiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of campy¹

First recorded in 1930–35; camp ² + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“He was indeed very French,” says Curry, campily.

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She spent years honing her style and fighting sceptical record labels before her campy, singalong anthems found their intended audience.

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“Pirates Wanted” leans campy, a vision of the lifestyle more informed by Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean than any historical fiction.

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For all her campy affectations, Samantha was always the most grounded of the characters, able to cut to the heart of things with a witty line, biting comment or just a simple truth.

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The finale is ghastly, grisly and even humorous when Madigan gets the chance to play up her character’s eccentricities to their most campy heights.

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Related Words

• charming 
• comical 
• delightful 
• diverting 
• droll 
• engaging 
• enjoyable 
• entertaining 
• fun 
• gratifying 
• humorous 
• interesting 
• lively 
• pleasant 
• pleasing