comic

[kom-ik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by comedy.

   comic opera.

2. of or relating to a person who acts in or writes comedy.

   a comic actor; a comic dramatist.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of comedy.

   comic situations; a comic sense.

4. provoking laughter; humorous; funny; laughable.

noun

1. a comedian.

2. comic book.

3. comics, comic strips.

4. the comic, the element or quality of comedy in literature, art, drama, etc..

   An appreciation of the comic came naturally to her.

comic

/ ˈkɒmɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, characterized by, or characteristic of comedy

2. (prenominal) acting in, writing, or composing comedy

   a comic writer

3. humorous; funny

noun

1. a person who is comic, esp a comic actor; comedian

2. a book or magazine containing comic strips

3. (usually plural) comic strips in newspapers, etc

Other Word Forms

• noncomic adjective
• quasi-comic adjective
• semicomic adjective
• uncomic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of comic¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin cōmicus < Greek kōmikós, equivalent to kôm ( os ) a revel + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of comic¹

C16: from Latin cōmicus, from Greek kōmikos relating to _comedy

Example Sentences

Bronstein wanted to use Byrne’s innate ability to find comic moments in unlikely places in order to capture the mordantly humorous beats in the script.

From Los Angeles Times

A comic turn as the larger-than-life Kitty on The Victoria Wood Show led to the creation of Hyacinth Bucket.

From BBC

He starred as Manchester music mogul Tony Wilson in Michael Winterbottom's 2002 film 24 Hour Party People, and then alongside friend and fellow comic Rob Brydon as exaggerated versions of themselves in The Trip.

From BBC

A host is also responsible for introducing every comic onstage, mentioning their credits and not butchering their name — all while hoping they actually make it on time for their spot.

From Los Angeles Times

Comic Con is introducing its Stan Lee Experience, a 1,500-square-foot booth in Aisle 200 that features an AI-powered holographic image of the late comic book legend that interacts with attendees.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clown 
• comedian 
• humorist 
• stooge