low comedy

American  

noun

1. comedy that depends on physical action, broadly humorous or farcical situations, and often bawdy or vulgar jokes.

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low comedy British  

noun

1. comedy characterized by slapstick and physical action

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Other Word Forms

• low comedian noun

Etymology

Origin of low comedy

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

Beckett, who miraculously balanced high literature with low comedy, is too complex for single-minded interpretations.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2019

But he’s now knocking 70 and suffering through an undignified low comedy of back problems, tinnitus and spiritual malaise.

From The Guardian • Aug. 11, 2019

Despite the borderline low comedy of the outhouse dialogue, Friedenberg is more alert to the couple’s mutual regard.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 4, 2016

Hugh Laurie is one of those stars, from low comedy to high drama and everything in between.

From New York Times • Apr. 19, 2016

Similor was to perform the valets in Molière’s comedies, and eccentric low comedy characters.

From Tales from Blackwood Volume 4 by Various