romantic comedy

noun

plural romantic comedies

: a light, comic movie or other work whose plot focuses on the development of a romantic relationship

This brings us to romantic comedies. … They make money, spawn franchises, and are popular in books, movies, and on television. Sexual tension is fun to watch, and we like rooting for a will-they-won't-they couple.—

Elizabeth Logan

also : this style or genre of work

an actor with a talent for romantic comedy

called also rom-com

Examples of romantic comedy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

The series elevated Eichner’s profile and led to Bros., the 2022 gay romantic comedy from Universal and director Nicholas Stoller. —

Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024 The Handmaid's Tale alum scored $2 million for her role in Sony Pictures' 2023 romantic comedy Anyone But You. —

Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 The romantic comedy later inspired a stage musical, which hit Broadway in 2019. —

Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024 That is played out as light romantic comedy, capturing their near innocent dalliance. —

John Hopewell, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for romantic comedy

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of romantic comedy was in 1818

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Romantic comedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/romantic%20comedy. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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