comical

adjective

com·​i·​cal ˈkä-mi-kəl 

1

obsolete : of or relating to comedy

2

: causing laughter especially because of a startlingly or unexpectedly humorous impact

wearing a comical expression

comicality

ˌkä-mi-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

comically

ˈkä-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• antic
• chucklesome
• comedic
• comic
• droll
• farcical
• funny
• hilarious
• humoristic
• humorous
• hysterical
• hysteric
• killing
• laughable
• ludicrous
• ridiculous
• riotous
• risible
• screaming
• sidesplitting
• uproarious

Choose the Right Synonym for comical

laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous, comic, comical mean provoking laughter or mirth.

laughable applies to anything occasioning laughter.

laughable attempts at skating

ludicrous suggests absurdity that excites both laughter and scorn.

a thriller with a ludicrous plot

ridiculous suggests extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility.

a ridiculous display of anger

comic applies especially to what arouses thoughtful amusement.

a comic character

comical applies to what arouses spontaneous hilarity.

a comical hat

Examples of comical in a Sentence

I must have looked comical in that big hat.

The way they argue is almost comical.

Recent Examples on the Web

The comical basketball geniuses, The Harlem Globetrotters, have ways of getting the ball through the hoop that probably never occurred to you. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Dec. 2024

At long last, the Browns have made the switch at quarterback, replacing the comical Jameis Winston with the non-entity Dorian Thompson-Robinson. —Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 20 Dec. 2024

The comical adornments to public art on Bend’s Roundabout Art Route have ignited fervent discourse: While some passerby may be amused, officials have urged the culprit to stop. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024

Things became dangerous as the storm worsened during the boat trip but not without some comical relief. —Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

comical

adjective

com·​i·​cal ˈkäm-i-kəl 

: laughable, funny

comically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb