comic

American  

[kom-ik] / ˈkɒm ɪk /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of comic

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

Example Sentences

The Glaswegian comic actor specialised in parodies of television and Hollywood films, where he played most of the parts.

From BBC

When you do that as a purposely abrasive young comic, it’s one thing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Those characters have been part of America’s cultural heritage almost since their first appearance — the Blondie comic strip still runs daily in The Times, and Betty Boop’s image is widely and popularly merchandised.

From Los Angeles Times

China’s domestic animation, comics and games market could rebound on the back of key new launches and overseas expansion, the analysts note.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We shot a scene around the comics’ table on the very first day,” Radcliffe says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clown
• comedian
• humorist
• stooge