musical comedy

American  

[myoo-zi-kuhl kom-i-dee] / ˈmyu zɪ kəl ˈkɒm ɪ di /

noun

1. a musical that is light or humorous with a happy or cheerful ending.

2. (formerly, especially in reference to works from the first half of the 20th century) musical.

3. Also called comedy music.  a genre of entertainment that prominently features songs in a comedy routine, such as stand-up comedy, or that is a type of show or album similar to a comedy routine, presented entirely in song.

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musical comedy British  

noun

1. a play or film, usually having a light romantic story, that consists of dialogue interspersed with singing and dancing

2. such plays and films collectively

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musical comedy Cultural  

1. A play or film that highlights song and dance. Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, and The Producers are well-known musical comedies.

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Etymology

Origin of musical comedy

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

The agitations for justice she mockingly compares to an Evelyn Waugh novel and “a musical comedy about college life.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Mr. Lane’s performance as Miller’s life-baffled Willy Loman indelibly proved that his range as an actor extends well beyond musical comedy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

The musical comedy follows an engaged couple whose car breaks down in the rain.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

The production, directed by La Jolla Playhouse outgoing artistic director Christopher Ashley, makes musical comedy seem like the crudest of art forms.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2025

In 1921, Eubie Blake’s Shuffle Along became the first musical comedy written by African-Americans and starring African- Americans to run successfully on Broadway.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall