comedian

[kuh-mee-dee-uh n]

See more synonyms for comedian on Thesaurus.com

noun

a professional entertainer who amuses by relating anecdotes, acting out comical situations, engaging in humorous repartee, etc.
an actor in comedy.
a writer of comedy.

any comical or amusing person.

Origin of comedian

1575–85; < Middle French comediain; see comedy, -ian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for comedian

entertainer, comic, humorist, clown, actor, stooge, wag, jester, jokester, joker, wit, zany, laugh, card, banana, droll, farceur, quipster, cutup, merry-andrew

Examples from the Web for comedian

Contemporary Examples of comedian

The atmosphere on campuses has gotten repressive enough that comedian Chris Rock no longer plays colleges.
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech
Nick Gillespie
January 9, 2015
The comedian responded to the deadly attack on a French satirical magazine by renewing his recent criticisms of the Islamic faith.
Bill Maher: Hundreds of Millions of Muslims Support Attack on ‘Charlie Hebdo’
Lloyd Grove
January 8, 2015
Then there was an event, an HRC event, and I took a picture with Monique, the actress and comedian.
How A Company’s Support of Gay Employees Helped One of Them To Come Out
December 24, 2014
Team Cosby has vehemently denied the allegations, dating back at least to a 2004 lawsuit that the comedian settled out of court.
Team Cosby’s Mission Impossible
Lloyd Grove
December 18, 2014
The comedian was right to call out Bill Cosby, but his material is littered with jokes about rape.
Bill Cosby Foe Hannibal Buress Joked About Date Rape
Rich Goldstein
November 20, 2014

Historical Examples of comedian

Rjane is the most comedian of comedians, and an artist when she wishes to be.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
"Well then, I want the last speech of all," the comedian declared.
Nana, The Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille
Emile Zola
The comedian finished, and the orchestra noisily chorded him off.
The Yellow Claw
Sax Rohmer
No, since theatres have existed, never has there been a comedian of his ability.
The Nabob
Alphonse Daudet
Irish Johnstone, the comedian, was known to be rather parsimonious.
The Jest Book
Mark Lemon

British Dictionary definitions for comedian

comedian

noun

an entertainer who specializes in jokes, comic skits, etc
an actor in comedy
an amusing or entertaining person: sometimes used ironically

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for comedian

1580s, "comic poet," later (c.1600) "stage actor in comedies," also, generally, "actor," from Middle French comédien, from comédie (see comedy). Meaning "professional joke-teller, etc." is from 1898.