comic relief

noun

1. an amusing scene, incident, or speech introduced into serious or tragic elements, as in a play, in order to provide temporary relief from tension, or to intensify the dramatic action.

2. relief from tension caused by the introduction or occurrence of a comic element, as by an amusing human foible.

Word History and Origins

Origin of comic relief¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

The comedian and actor, who co-founded Comic Relief in 1985, was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 for services to drama and charity.

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“He’s very much the comic relief in the early episodes,” Wyle says.

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Stamos appeared onstage as Herod on Friday night, bringing some comic relief to an electric, deeply emotional show.

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For mild comic relief, they also pal around with a robot named H.E.R.B.I.E., voiced by Matthew Wood.

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Initially, we can’t wait for Iacono’s louse to get eaten but we come to treasure his comic relief, particularly when Xavier wanders off to relieve himself next to a nest of velociraptors.

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