comical
Americanadjective
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producing laughter; amusing; funny.
a comical fellow.
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Obsolete. pertaining to or of the nature of comedy.
adjective
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causing laughter
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ludicrous; laughable
Synonym Usage
See amusing.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of comical
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at comic, -al 1
Explanation
Something comical is humorous, amusing, silly, or just plain funny; it makes people laugh. When you think comical, think laughter-causing. Stand-up comedians and comic strips intend to be comical. People like to share comical moments: for example, by posting videos of their pets doing comical things, like a dog going bananas in a water sprinkler. Just like the dog doesn't know it's being funny, people are unintentionally comical too. If a person absorbed in his cell phone conversation falls down a manhole, many will find it comical.
Vocabulary lists containing comical
Out of the Dust
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List 2
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -al, -ial
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Underdog declined to comment on the matter other than to point out that the company has pulled comical stunts at the expense of members of the sports world.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
He uses this comical, criminal-esque language, calling shield laws a “scheme” and an “operation.”
From Slate • May 15, 2026
The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun.
From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026
The similarities are striking on various levels, as well as comical and more than a little disturbing.
From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026
Lady Constance’s look of surprise was made comical by her clown-white face.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
