romantic comedy

American  

noun

1. a light and humorous movie, play, etc., whose central plot is a happy love story.

2. a genre of comedy represented by such works.

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Etymology

Origin of romantic comedy

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

A24's latest dark romantic comedy, The Drama, sees Zendaya and Robert Pattinson play Emma and Charlie, a soon-to-be married couple whose relationship is tested after a surprise revelation in the days before their wedding.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Maintaining third spot was "The Drama," a romantic comedy in its second week starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson about a couple unraveling just before their wedding.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Appropriate to a character who lives for being onscreen, “Bait” plays with the language of film — gritty procedural, a burst of Bollywood, romantic comedy — though not necessarily to the usual ends.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Take “Materialists,” a film that seemed like a fresh take on the 2000s-era romantic comedy thanks to its earliest teasers and trailers.

From Salon • Jan. 6, 2026

I'm tying out for a role in a major romantic comedy.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day