deadpan

American  

[ded-pan] / ˈdɛdˌpæn /

adjective

1. marked by or accomplished with a careful pretense of seriousness or calm detachment; impassive or expressionless.

   deadpan humor.

2. displaying no emotional or personal involvement.

   a deadpan style.

---

adverb

1. in a deadpan manner.

   He spoke his lines utterly deadpan.

verb (used with or without object)

deadpanned, deadpanning

1. to behave or perform in a deadpan manner.

noun

1. a face showing no expression.

2. a style of comedy that relies on the comedian's maintaining such a face.

deadpan British  

/ ˈdɛdˌpæn /

adjective

1. with a deliberately emotionless face or manner

   deadpan humour

---

Other Word Forms

• dead panner noun

Etymology

Origin of deadpan

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; dead + pan ¹ (in the slang sense “face”)

Example Sentences

And despite his often deadpan demeanour and the pressure he is under, political commentators in Belgium say De Wever seems to be enjoying holding cards on the EU stage.

From Barron's

Much of the deadpan dialogue was improvised and the film became a cult classic, coining phrases such as "turn it up to eleven".

From BBC

Vecchione’s deadpan style and constant misdirection are on full display as he talks about age gaps, magic doctors and the reality of marital vows, piling on joke after sarcastic joke.

From Los Angeles Times

I shoot him the most deadpan look I have in me and dump them all back out.

From Literature

As the president shook Wilhite’s hand, he took a look at the suit and deadpanned: “Bold move, son.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• impassive
• stony