comedy

noun

com·​e·​dy ˈkä-mə-dē How to pronounce comedy (audio)
plural comedies
1
a
: a medieval narrative that ends happily
Dante's Divine Comedy
b
: a literary work written in a comic style or treating a comic theme
the ancient Roman comedies of Plautus
2
a
: a drama of light and amusing character and typically with a happy ending
a comedy about parenthood
b
: the genre of dramatic literature dealing with the comic or with the serious in a light or satirical manner compare tragedy
3
: a ludicrous or farcical event or series of events
a comedy of errors
4
a
: the comic element
the comedy of many life situations
b
: humorous entertainment
nightclub comedy

Examples of comedy in a Sentence

The new comedy is the network's most popular television show. The movie includes a lot of physical comedy. We couldn't help laughing out loud at the comedy of the situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The White Lotus is a black comedy anthology series following the guests and employees of the fictional White Lotus resort chain. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2025 But the conflict between the two couples, the three generations of Italian-Americans, and the Tanya-and-the-gays stuff was all still really compelling drama and dark comedy. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 The untitled Paramount Pictures comedy is now set for theatrical release on March 20, 2026, after having previously been scheduled for July 4 of this year. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025 The comedy about journalists entering North Korea was Sony’s prime release circa the time of the 2014 Sony Pictures Entertainment hack and leaks, where Pascal’s email exchanges with Scott Rudin, among others, revealed comments many deemed to be racist. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comedy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin comoedia, from Latin, drama with a happy ending, from Greek kōmōidia, from kōmos revel + aeidein to sing — more at ode

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of comedy was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Comedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comedy. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

comedy

noun
com·​e·​dy ˈkäm-əd-ē How to pronounce comedy (audio)
plural comedies
1
: a light amusing play with a happy ending
2
: a comic literary work
3
a
: an amusing or ridiculous event
b
: humorous entertainment

More from Merriam-Webster on comedy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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