comic
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for comic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Funny or intended to amuse; relating to comedy.
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 comic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin comicus, from Greek kōmikós ("relating to comedy"), ultimately from kômos ("revelry, festivity").
Full origin of comic →Frequently asked questions
What does “comic” mean?
The word “comic” means funny or intended to amuse; relating to comedy. In plain terms, funny, or relating to comedy — as a noun, either a comedian or a picture-story magazine.
How do you pronounce “comic”?
“Comic” is pronounced KO-mihk (/ˈkɑmɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “comic” in a sentence?
Here is “comic” used in a sentence: “The film has a comic subplot involving the neighbor's dog.”
What is another word for “comic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “comic” include comedic and comical.
What part of speech is “comic”?
Depending on how it is used, “comic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “comic” come from?
The word “comic” comes from Latin. From Latin comicus, from Greek kōmikós ("relating to comedy"), ultimately from kômos ("revelry, festivity").
Is “comic” a common word?
“Comic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “comic” have?
“Comic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: funny or intended to amuse; relating to comedy.
What is the difference between comic and comical?
"Comic" means relating to comedy or deliberately funny, as in comic timing or a comic actor. "Comical" usually means amusing in an odd, unintended, or absurd way. A comic play is written to make you laugh, while a comical hat is funny simply because it looks ridiculous.
Is comic an adjective or a noun?
It works as both. As an adjective it means funny or relating to comedy, as in comic relief. As a noun it means a comic book, a comic strip, or a comedian who performs for laughs. The surrounding words make clear which sense is meant.
What is an example of comic used as an adjective?
Common examples include comic timing, comic relief, a comic novel, and comic opera. In each case the word signals humor or a link to comedy. It describes something meant to amuse the audience, whether a performance, a piece of writing, or a moment within a serious story.
What is the opposite of comic?
In drama the natural opposite is tragic, since comedy and tragedy are the two classic modes. More generally, opposites include serious, solemn, and grave. A comic scene aims to lighten the mood, while a tragic or solemn one aims to move or sadden the audience.