comedian

[ kuh-mee-dee-uhn ]

noun

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of comedian¹

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

Example Sentences

I knew I was going to be a comedian when I heard Richard Pryor’s tape.

From Ozy

Which is why “The Sarah Silverman Podcast,” launched by the longtime comedian a few months ago with little fanfare and a sense of resignation, may be one of the sneakiest successes of the pandemic.

From Washington Post

I could imagine that even some of the comedians or some of the other folks are coming to you and saying why couldn’t Verzuz be applied in my backyard as well as in music’s backyard.

From Ozy

That, Alexis says, means more paid hours and benefits for his party hosts — many of them actors, comedians and other performers whose day jobs in arts and entertainment disappeared in the pandemic.

From Washington Post

John Mulaney has reached a level of success as a comedian where he doesn’t really need to hold down a 9-to-5 job.

From Quartz

The atmosphere on campuses has gotten repressive enough that comedian Chris Rock no longer plays colleges.

From The Daily Beast

The comedian responded to the deadly attack on a French satirical magazine by renewing his recent criticisms of the Islamic faith.

From The Daily Beast

Not only had the iconic comedian sexually assaulted many, many women, Maher argued, “I never thought he was funny.”

From The Daily Beast

Then there was an event, an HRC event, and I took a picture with Monique, the actress and comedian.

From The Daily Beast

Team Cosby has vehemently denied the allegations, dating back at least to a 2004 lawsuit that the comedian settled out of court.

From The Daily Beast

William Oxberry, the comedian, died by apoplexy, the consequence of over living.

From Project Gutenberg

James Ulett, formerly of New York, became quite celebrated a few years since, as a comedian.

From Project Gutenberg

The leading comedian was said by the papers to be receiving a salary of a thousand dollars a week.

From Project Gutenberg

In vain you may know him to the core—know him a liar, a comedian—he manages always to get the better of you with his stories.

From Project Gutenberg

M. d'Hannetaire, the father of these young women, had begun life as a comedian in Brussels, and was now manager of the Monnaie.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• actor
• clown
• comic
• entertainer
• humorist