pantomime
Americannoun
-
the art or technique of conveying emotions, actions, feelings, etc., by gestures without speech.
-
a play or entertainment in which the performers express themselves mutely by gestures, often to the accompaniment of music.
-
significant gesture without speech.
-
an actor in dumb show, as in ancient Rome.
-
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
-
-
Sometimes shortened to: panto. a kind of play performed at Christmas time characterized by farce, music, lavish sets, stock roles, and topical jokes
-
( as modifier )
a pantomime horse
-
-
a theatrical entertainment in which words are replaced by gestures and bodily actions
-
action without words as a means of expression
-
(in ancient Rome) an actor in a dumb show
-
informal a confused or farcical situation
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
pantomimicrynoun
-
pantomimistnoun
-
pantomimicadjective
-
pantomimicaladjective
-
pantomimicallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
pantomimesimple
-
pantomimessimple
-
have pantomimedperfect
-
has pantomimedperfect
-
am pantomimingprogressive
-
are pantomimingprogressive
-
is pantomimingprogressive
-
have been pantomimingperfect progressive
-
has been pantomimingperfect progressive
Past
-
pantomimedsimple
-
had pantomimedperfect
-
was pantomimingprogressive
-
were pantomimingprogressive
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Of Mice and Men"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Tangerine
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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
He also revealed he had been dubbed "Sheenie the genie" by his youngest daughter Mabli after his role in Swansea Grand Theatre's Christmas pantomime, Aladdin.
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026
Jon Boutcher, who was Livingstone's predecessor leading the Kenova investigation, has described the situation preventing Scappaticci being named as a "pantomime".
From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2026
By question 11 — “I am terrible at pantomime, as in games like charades” — he was laughing out loud.
From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell
Kingsley pantomimes resisting repeated entreaties amid the cacophony.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
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 also did her fair share of pantomimes before her musical theatre career kicked off with a part alongside Paul O'Grady in Prisoner Cell Block H: The Musical.
From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2025
He pantomimes each activity like some sort of deranged mime, and I can’t stop laughing.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
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
He pantomimed his throwing motion, taking several purposeful steps forward before flapping a towel with his right hand.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2023
The first prospect pantomimed pushing a bar away from his chest until his arms looked “locked out,” as if they couldn’t extend further.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 28, 2022
One of the pub’s patron’s, George Parrin, 77, pantomimed a heart attack when the voices soared.
From New York Times ● Dec. 21, 2021
“How do you cast on yarn ?” The girl pantomimed her method with her large hands.
From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston
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 just, you know, I get the routing,” he said, pantomiming looking at a check, “and then I see the number and I go, ‘I’ll go.’”
From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2025
After the Heat called a timeout, a courtside fan near the Celtics’ bench could be seen pantomiming fanning White on the sideline.
From Seattle Times ● May 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.
