comedian
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for comedian, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A performer who entertains audiences with jokes and humor.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use comedian
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From French comédien, ultimately from Ancient Greek komoidia ("comedy").
Full origin of comedian →Frequently asked questions
What does “comedian” mean?
The word “comedian” means a performer who entertains audiences with jokes and humor. In plain terms, someone who makes people laugh, either as a job (stand-up, TV) or just by nature.
How do you pronounce “comedian”?
“Comedian” is pronounced kuh-MEE-dee-uhn (/kəˈmiː.di.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “comedian” in a sentence?
Here is “comedian” used in a sentence: “The comedian had the whole crowd laughing within minutes.”
What is another word for “comedian”?
Words with a similar meaning to “comedian” include funnyman and funnywoman.
What part of speech is “comedian”?
“Comedian” is a noun.
Where does the word “comedian” come from?
The word “comedian” comes from Ancient Greek. From French comédien, ultimately from Ancient Greek komoidia ("comedy").
Is “comedian” a common word?
“Comedian” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “comedian” have?
“Comedian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a performer who entertains audiences with jokes and humor.
What is the difference between a 'comedian' and a 'comic'?
The two are largely interchangeable for a performer who entertains with jokes and humour. 'Comic' can additionally serve as an adjective meaning funny, whereas 'comedian' is used only as a noun for the performer.
What is the difference between a 'comedian' and a 'comedienne'?
Traditionally, 'comedian' referred to a male performer and 'comedienne' to a female one, following an older convention of using a separate feminine form. Today 'comedian' is widely used for performers of any gender, and the gendered 'comedienne' has become less common.
Can you call someone a 'comedian' if they do not perform professionally?
Yes. Besides meaning a professional performer, 'comedian' can describe a person who is naturally funny whether or not they perform for a living. In this sense it is used loosely, sometimes admiringly and sometimes sarcastically, as in 'everyone's a comedian.'
Is 'stand-up comedian' redundant?
No. 'Stand-up comedian' specifies the format in which the performer works alone on stage delivering jokes directly to an audience. Because the base word 'comedian' covers any performer who entertains with humour, the 'stand-up' label adds useful detail.