pantomime
Americannoun
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the art or technique of conveying emotions, actions, feelings, etc., by gestures without speech.
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a play or entertainment in which the performers express themselves mutely by gestures, often to the accompaniment of music.
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significant gesture without speech.
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an actor in dumb show, as in ancient Rome.
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Also called Christmas pantomime. a form of theatrical spectacle common in England during the Christmas season, generally adapted from a fairy tale and including stock character types who perform songs and dances, tell jokes, etc.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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Sometimes shortened to: panto. a kind of play performed at Christmas time characterized by farce, music, lavish sets, stock roles, and topical jokes
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( as modifier )
a pantomime horse
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a theatrical entertainment in which words are replaced by gestures and bodily actions
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action without words as a means of expression
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(in ancient Rome) an actor in a dumb show
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informal a confused or farcical situation
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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pantomimicrynoun
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pantomimistnoun
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pantomimicadjective
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pantomimicaladjective
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pantomimicallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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pantomimesimple
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pantomimessimple
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have pantomimedperfect
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has pantomimedperfect
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am pantomimingprogressive
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are pantomimingprogressive
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is pantomimingprogressive
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have been pantomimingperfect progressive
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has been pantomimingperfect progressive
Past
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pantomimedsimple
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had pantomimedperfect
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was pantomimingprogressive
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were pantomimingprogressive
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had been pantomimingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of pantomime
1580–90; earlier pantomimus < Latin < Greek pantómīmos. See panto-, mime
Explanation
If you make a motion with your hands to indicate eating ice cream, you are using pantomime. Parents often use this wordless communication to try to keep things from the kids. Unfortunately, the kids usually catch on quickly — especially if there is ice cream involved. An entire show, done without words is often called a pantomime, but around December, you may read about a Christmas pantomime. This is a traditional holiday show in the United Kingdom. The play is usually based on a fairy tale, and it is put on especially for children. Although it is called a pantomime or panto, the show actually includes talking, jokes, and music. The tradition goes back to the 1700s and is still popular today.
Vocabulary lists containing pantomime
Of Mice and Men
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"Of Mice and Men"
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Tangerine
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Argentina are so often painted as the pantomime villains of international football - particularly by England fans.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
"We started with Michael Boyd at the Tron pantomime and we wanted to get the essence of that postmodern, Scottish music hall culture and put it on a big stage," he says.
From BBC ● May 24, 2026
As well as the pantomime Aladdie at Cumbernauld Theatre, Forbes Masson also has plans for a number of new productions, which, like The High Life: The Musical, will be homegrown and for a Scottish audience.
From BBC ● May 24, 2026
Fitzpatrick was welcomed by pantomime boos from the partisan fans who were predictably rooting for their man.
From BBC ● Mar. 15, 2026
Stargirl’s pantomime remains the best I have ever seen.
From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli
Kingsley pantomimes resisting repeated entreaties amid the cacophony.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
While pantomimes often feature big names and familiar faces, it is less common for a politician to get involved – but not unheard of.
From BBC ● Dec. 4, 2025
In pantomimes, the audience boos the villain and cheers the hero; in parliament, political leaders are cast in these roles with MPs jeering.
From BBC ● Dec. 4, 2025
His characters may be confined by their circumstances but their imaginations are set free in theatrical games, pantomimes and nostalgic reveries.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2025
She pantomimes gardening gestures at me and taps her index finger on an imaginary watch.
From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed
First, there’s a pantomimed back story: During the overture, actors depicting the lovers as young teens flirt and are discouraged by adults.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
When he’s off even a fraction, the fun begins in full: wayward missiles; exasperated glares; pantomimed swings; chats with himself, his clubs, his caddie — and perhaps even with apparitions only he can see.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 17, 2022
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sought out Shohei Ohtani last year during the first day of All-Star game festivities and pantomimed holding a camera.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2022
“I feel like I’m going to battle,” said Elvira Maria Bortolomiol as she pantomimed carrying a rifle in an airy tasting room next to her vineyards.
From New York Times ● Oct. 1, 2021
With her fingers like legs, she pantomimed sneaking.
From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack
Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was then Iran’s foreign minister, would sometimes retreat to the back of the room during the nuclear talks and put his head in his hands, pantomiming despair.
From Slate ● May 1, 2026
You may find yourself pantomiming with one of your feet to your children in the persona of “Mr. Stinkyfoot,” a somewhat boorish Frenchman who espouses the importance of cleanliness and the needs for a bath.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 8, 2026
“I’m snitching,” he said, before pantomiming a conversation with a co-defendant.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2025
In most films, the background actors are pantomiming.
From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2024
He stood behind Basil, pantomiming the hare’s every movement, puffing up his tiny chest and strutting about importantly.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
