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

Derived 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

Through its narrow canon, the tone of “Star Wars” has always been determinedly self-serious, whereas the Marvel movies, like the decades of comics they sprang from, veer wildly from high drama to low comedy.

From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2017

Still, as a low comedy about crazed middle-American family life, “The Long Haul” pretty much delivers on its promise, diapers and all.

From Washington Post • May 17, 2017

Miss Ellaline Terris looks, acts, and sings charmingly as Lady Wilhelmina, and Miss Caldwell gives a good touch of low comedy to "the Sergeant."

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 104, April 29, 1893 by Burnand, F. C. (Francis Cowley), Sir