high comedy

American  

noun

1. comedy dealing with polite society, characterized by sophisticated, witty dialogue and an intricate plot.

---

high comedy British  

noun

1. comedy set largely among cultured and articulate people and featuring witty dialogue Compare low comedy

---

Other Word Forms

• high comedian noun

Etymology

Origin of high comedy

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

This makes for page after page of high comedy.

From Los Angeles Times

Performing for a Dutch audience presents a high comedy bar, Meyers explained.

From New York Times

I wonder if that was part of your education in finding that tension between the sorrow and the high comedy?

From Salon

In British television shows like “Gavin and Stacey” and “The Wrong Mans,” he perfected characters who achieved high comedy through constant pressure.

From New York Times

Williams was careful to make that moment of high comedy fit the tone.

From Los Angeles Times