comedian

American  

[kuh-mee-dee-uhn] / kəˈmi di ən /

noun

• comedians
  plural

1. a professional entertainer who amuses by relating anecdotes, acting out comical situations, engaging in humorous repartee, etc.

2. an actor in comedy.

3. a writer of comedy.

4. any comical or amusing person.

---

comedian British  

/ kəˈmiːdɪən /

noun

1. an entertainer who specializes in jokes, comic skits, etc

2. an actor in comedy

3. an amusing or entertaining person: sometimes used ironically

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• comedians
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of comedian

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

---

Explanation

A comedian tells jokes for a living. If you have the ability to crack everyone up at the dinner table, your mom might say that you should be a comedian. Comedians perform in various ways: a stand-up comedian, for example, tells jokes on a stage at a comedy club. Other comedians might perform improvisational comedy routines in a group, or be featured in a funny movie. In the 16th century, a comedian was specifically a "comic poet," while later the words comedian and actor were briefly interchangeable. It comes from the Greek komoidia, "an amusing spectacle."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

comedian comedians

It immediately drew attention for the pairing of Holmes and Fielder, a comedian known for his absurdist television shows “Nathan for You” and “The Rehearsal.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

In the mindbending documentary “You Can See Everything,” comedian Nathan Fielder and professed inventor Elizabeth Holmes sit in her beach house staring at each other like gunslingers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

While accepting the honor, the comedian thanked his daughter, Jane, and grandson, Jackson, before referring to Ah as his “sublime companion” and declaring his love for her.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

Saturday’s episode was hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, with Rosalía as musical guest.

From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026

As the class comedian, the eternal ringleader, never in a bad mood, never a crybaby.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

Some comedians like to say they give their audience a “night off” from the world.

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026

Those monologues aren’t on cue cards; the comedians are trusted to do their thing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

The company has said that authors, musicians and comedians get a boost from appearances on Rogan’s show, with listeners seeking out guests’ work across other podcasts, music and audiobooks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

I’m just grateful people still come out because when you’re younger, you take it for granted, and now there are so many comedians out there, so I’m just happy to get to tour.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

There followed a comedians wheedling monologue, broken at last by applause, and a jolly band striking up.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• actor
• clown
• comic
• entertainer
• humorist

---