a dramatic or other work of light and amusing character the genre of drama represented by works of this type (in classical literature) a play in which the main characters and motive triumph over adversity the humorous aspect of life or of events an amusing event or sequence of events humour or comic style: inspired by the comedy of Chaplin
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
com•e•dy /ˈkɑmɪdi/USA pronunciation
n., pl. -dies.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- Literature, Show Business[countable] a play, etc., of light and humorous character with a cheerful ending.
- Literature, Show Business[uncountable] the branch of drama concerned with this.
com•e•dy
(kom′i dē),USA pronunciation n., pl. -dies.
co•me•di•al
(kə mē′dē əl),USA pronunciation adj.
- Literature, Show Businessa play, movie, etc., of light and humorous character with a happy or cheerful ending; a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or happy conclusion.
- Literature, Show Businessthat branch of the drama which concerns itself with this form of composition.
- Literature, Show Businessthe comic element of drama, of literature generally, or of life.
- Literature, Show Businessany literary composition dealing with a theme suitable for comedy, or employing the methods of comedy.
- Literatureany comic or humorous incident or series of incidents.
- Greek kōmōidía, equivalent. to kōmōid(ós) comedian (kômo(s) merry-making + aoidós singer) + -ia -y3
- Medieval Latin cōmēdia, Latin cōmoedia
- Middle English comedye 1350–1400
- 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged jesting, humor, pleasantry, banter.
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